The U.S. House of Representatives’ committee on China has called on the U.S. Commerce Department to add Chinese memory chip maker Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT) to a trade blacklist. This follows Beijing’s ban on the sale of some chips by U.S.-based Micron Technology Inc.
Representative Mike Gallagher said the U.S. must make it clear to the People’s Republic of China that it will not tolerate economic coercion against its companies or its allies. He also urged the Commerce Department to ensure no U.S. technology goes to CXMT, YMTC, or other PRC firms operating in this industry.
Gallagher also warned that no U.S.-export licenses granted to foreign semiconductor memory firms operating in China should be used to backfill Micron, and urged South Korea to take similar action to prevent backfilling.
The restrictions imposed by China’s cyberspace regulator against Micron are the latest in a widening trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies. It is essential that the U.S. takes a firm stance against such economic coercion and sends a clear message to China.