The Huawei Mate 60 Pro, despite facing US sanctions, made a surprising appearance in 2023. Now, the Biden administration is taking aim at China’s top chipmaker, SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp), after it produced a sophisticated chip for the Mate 60 Pro.
The latest move involves cutting off SMIC’s most advanced factory from receiving American imports. This is in response to SMIC’s plans to produce a 5nm chipset for Huawei’s upcoming smartphones, which could significantly enhance their performance.
Following the bombastic unveiling of the Mate 60 Pro, the Commerce Department reportedly sent “dozens of letters” to US suppliers to SMIC, suspending permission to sell high-tech goods to its most advanced plant. This has impacted shipments worth millions of dollars from at least one supplier, Entegris.
Entegris clarified that it had followed a valid export license and ceased shipments after receiving letters from the Commerce Department. The company emphasized its compliance with rapidly evolving regulatory requirements affecting the chip industry.
This development indicates a further escalation in US-China tensions and could have significant implications for Huawei’s future devices. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving situation.
