US-CHINA: US Considers Cancelling Waivers For Chipmakers In China - WSJ

MNI London: The Wall Street Journal reports: “A U.S. official told top global semiconductor makers he wanted to revoke waivers they have used to access American technology in China, people familiar with the matter said, a move that could inflame trade tensions.” The report notes: "People involved in the discussions said revoking the waivers isn’t a done deal."

• Waivers applied to Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC that allow them to ship American chip-making equipment to their facilities in China without separate licenses could be cancelled, according to the report.
• “The action isn’t a new trade escalation but would be designed to make the licensing system for chip equipment similar to what China has in place for rare-earth materials, White House officials said,” writes the Journal, noting that the move could be “disruptive both diplomatically and economically,” and impact the “fragile trade truce” agreed in London this month.
• A Commerce Department spokesperson said: “Chip makers will still be able to operate in China. The new enforcement mechanisms on chips mirror licensing requirements that apply to other semiconductor companies that export to China and ensure the United States has an equal and reciprocal process.”