U.S. Blacklists Over 50 Chinese Tech Firms to Curb China’s AI and Chip Advancements

The U.S. Department of Commerce has added over 50 Chinese companies to its export blacklist in an effort to prevent China from advancing its artificial intelligence (AI) and supercomputing technologies. The restrictions, part of the Trump administration’s push to limit China’s access to critical technologies, target entities accused of supporting China’s military modernization and technological advancements. These companies are now barred from receiving American technology without government approval.

The new blacklist includes companies allegedly involved in the development of high-performance AI chips, supercomputers, and quantum technologies. The U.S. government has expressed concerns that these technologies could be used for military purposes, including hypersonic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The move follows the increasing tension between Washington and Beijing, with the U.S. also imposing higher tariffs on China.

Among the blacklisted entities are subsidiaries of Inspur Group, a Chinese cloud-computing giant, which was previously sanctioned by the Biden administration. The U.S. has intensified its efforts to track and trace the smuggling of semiconductors and other advanced technologies, as China has been able to circumvent some export restrictions by using third parties. This underscores the ongoing “tech war” between the two global powers, particularly in areas like AI and semiconductor production.

China has strongly condemned the latest U.S. actions, with its foreign ministry calling on Washington to stop using national security as a pretext for broad-based restrictions. As the tech industry grapples with these export controls, the U.S. has emphasized the need to prevent adversaries from exploiting American technologies for military purposes, further signaling a tightening of trade and technology relations between the two nations.

source: cnbc