US Tweaks Chip Equipment Policy Towards China, Maintains High-End Node Controls to Keep AI Edge
A US congressional bill aimed at restricting semiconductor equipment sales to China has been scaled back. However, it still maintains nationwide restrictions on ASML's DUV lithography systems to preserve US AI supremacy.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 08:28
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 08:31 (3 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 03:28 (42h 56m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA, New York, 16th, Comprehensive Foreign Dispatch) According to the latest draft of a US congressional bill seen by Reuters, legislation aimed at restricting more chipmaking equipment from flowing to China has been scaled back. However, it continues to include new nationwide restrictions on ASML's Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) immersion lithography systems.
ASML, headquartered in the Netherlands, is the dominant global supplier of this critical technology and declined to comment.
The bill, known as the "Multilateral Alignment of Technology and Hardware (MATCH) Act," was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 2 with bipartisan support. Its purpose is to close loopholes in restrictions on the sale of chip manufacturing equipment to China and to align US policies with those of countries like Japan and the Netherlands.
The core of the bill is to maintain US leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI), a field that could alter the balance of power among nations.
The draft, introduced by Republican Representative Michael Baumgartner, is currently being updated to replace its original version.
The US Congress is attempting to legislate controls on the export of chips and chip manufacturing equipment to China, citing the Trump administration's slow pace in updating controls and its relaxation of restrictions on advanced chips.
The early April version drew ire from industry players both in the US and abroad. One expert described the bill as a "runaway train," not only attempting to coerce allies into complying with US controls but also introducing sweeping new national and broad corporate restrictions. Manufacturers argued these limits would reduce exports and hurt sales.
Compared to the early April version, many restrictions have been removed, including blanket bans on cryogenic etching equipment manufactured by US-based Lam Research and Japan's Tokyo Electron.
The US House Foreign Affairs Committee plans to vote on the bill on the 22nd, alongside reviewing over a dozen other bills related to AI, semiconductors, and export controls.
However, the adjusted bill still prohibits foreign companies from providing equipment to Chinese chipmakers CXMT, YMTC, and SMIC, with Washington targeting equipment that utilizes US technology.
Additionally, the bill requires obtaining a license to service equipment within regulated facilities, a controversial point for foreign companies, though applications will no longer be subject to a presumption of denial.
Since implementing restrictions in late 2022, the US has been trying to coordinate chip equipment export controls with the Netherlands and Japan, achieving some success, though US equipment manufacturers argue the playing field remains unlevel.
The aforementioned Chinese chipmakers did not respond to requests for comment. Regarding the bill, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US, stated that China will closely monitor developments and safeguard its rights and interests. (Translation: Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150417
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(CNA, New York, 16th, Comprehensive Foreign Dispatch) According to the latest draft of a US congressional bill seen by Reuters, legislation aimed at restricting more chipmaking equipment from flowing to China has been scaled back. However, it continues to include new nationwide restrictions on ASML's Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) immersion lithography systems.
ASML, headquartered in the Netherlands, is the dominant global supplier of this critical technology and declined to comment.
The bill, known as the "Multilateral Alignment of Technology and Hardware (MATCH) Act," was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 2 with bipartisan support. Its purpose is to close loopholes in restrictions on the sale of chip manufacturing equipment to China and to align US policies with those of countries like Japan and the Netherlands.
The core of the bill is to maintain US leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI), a field that could alter the balance of power among nations.
The draft, introduced by Republican Representative Michael Baumgartner, is currently being updated to replace its original version.
The US Congress is attempting to legislate controls on the export of chips and chip manufacturing equipment to China, citing the Trump administration's slow pace in updating controls and its relaxation of restrictions on advanced chips.
The early April version drew ire from industry players both in the US and abroad. One expert described the bill as a "runaway train," not only attempting to coerce allies into complying with US controls but also introducing sweeping new national and broad corporate restrictions. Manufacturers argued these limits would reduce exports and hurt sales.
Compared to the early April version, many restrictions have been removed, including blanket bans on cryogenic etching equipment manufactured by US-based Lam Research and Japan's Tokyo Electron.
The US House Foreign Affairs Committee plans to vote on the bill on the 22nd, alongside reviewing over a dozen other bills related to AI, semiconductors, and export controls.
However, the adjusted bill still prohibits foreign companies from providing equipment to Chinese chipmakers CXMT, YMTC, and SMIC, with Washington targeting equipment that utilizes US technology.
Additionally, the bill requires obtaining a license to service equipment within regulated facilities, a controversial point for foreign companies, though applications will no longer be subject to a presumption of denial.
Since implementing restrictions in late 2022, the US has been trying to coordinate chip equipment export controls with the Netherlands and Japan, achieving some success, though US equipment manufacturers argue the playing field remains unlevel.
The aforementioned Chinese chipmakers did not respond to requests for comment. Regarding the bill, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US, stated that China will closely monitor developments and safeguard its rights and interests. (Translation: Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150417
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you make is a power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.