U.S. probes TSMC's possible chip ties with Huawei amid restrictions
- The U.S. Commerce Department is investigating TSMC's potential involvement with Huawei regarding smartphone and AI chips.
- Since 2020, Huawei has been prohibited from receiving U.S.-made semiconductors, leading to speculation about loopholes in technology access.
- TSMC has stated it will take necessary actions to maintain compliance with regulations, reflecting the ongoing scrutiny of U.S.-China technology relations.
In the U.S., an investigation is underway regarding TSMC's potential collaboration with Huawei on AI and smartphone chip production. The U.S. Commerce Department has reached out to TSMC to verify whether they are adhering to regulations that prevent Huawei from accessing chips made with American technology. In 2020, the U.S. government blocked Huawei from obtaining semiconductors made using U.S. technology or software, and TSMC suspended new orders from the company following tighter export controls. The inquiry, which is in its early stages without a set timeline for completion, raises concerns about due diligence and compliance with existing trade restrictions. Despite such constraints, Huawei has recently introduced smartphones with advanced semiconductors, leading experts to speculate that Chinese manufacturers may be circumventing restrictions through older equipment. Given the recent push by U.S. lawmakers to reinforce restrictions on companies linked to Huawei, the landscape for technology exports to China is increasingly complex. TSMC has pledged to take prompt action if there are indications of non-compliance, highlighting the ongoing tension between U.S. authorities and Chinese technology firms like Huawei.