US Urges South Korea to Limit Semiconductor Technology Exports to China: A Race for Technological Superiority

The Biden administration has intensified its efforts to prevent China from advancing its semiconductor technology by urging South Korea to impose restrictions on exporting chip-making equipment and technologies to China. The US is pressing South Korea to limit the transfer of high-end logic and memory chip technologies, such as logic chips more advanced than 14-nanometer and DRAM memory beyond 18nm, to China. These measures align with the actions taken by the US Department of Commerce in 2022.

American officials are actively working to restrict the flow of equipment and technologies necessary for producing advanced logic and memory chips to China. The goal is to prevent China from gaining access to cutting-edge chip technologies that could help them achieve their semiconductor ambitions. By encouraging South Korea to adopt similar restrictions, the US aims to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor industry and limit China’s technological advancements.

The discussions between the US and South Korea on imposing restrictions on semiconductor technology exports to China are ongoing and private. However, it is clear that the Biden administration is determined to block China’s access to key chip-making technologies in order to maintain a competitive edge in the semiconductor market. The US is seeking cooperation from allies like South Korea to prevent China from accelerating their semiconductor capabilities and potentially posing a threat to American technological leadership.