China Probes US Semiconductors Ahead of Madrid Trade Talks

China launched two investigations into the US semiconductor sector Saturday ahead of trade talks in Spain this week covering commerce, national security, and the ownership of social media platform TikTok, Simina Mistreanu reported for the Associated Press (AP).

The list includes two firms accused of acquiring chipmaking equipment for Chinese semiconductor giant SMIC. (Photo: SMIC) 

The Ministry of Commerce announced an anti-dumping probe into certain analog IC chips imported from the US, including commodity interface IC chips and gate driver IC chips commonly made by Texas Instruments and ON Semiconductor.

The ministry also launched an anti-discrimination probe into US restrictions on China’s chip sector.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Madrid between Sunday and Wednesday, He’s office said.

Chinese officials argue that US measures such as export curbs and tariffs “constitute the containment and suppression of China’s development of high-tech industries” like advanced computer chips and artificial intelligence.

The probes follow the US adding 23 Chinese companies to its “entity list” recently, restricting businesses accused of acting against US national security and foreign policy interests.

That list includes two firms accused of acquiring chipmaking equipment for Chinese semiconductor giant SMIC.