US House Panel Approves 20 Measures to Curb China's Chip Ambitions

The US House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced the proposals through the committee stage earlier this week, paving the way for further deliberation in the House of Representatives., according to reports.

Among the measures is the proposed Match Act -- introduced by Republican Representative Michael Baumgartner -- which seeks to align US allies more closely with Washington's restrictions on exports of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China.

Baumgartner was quoted as saying that China has made it abundantly clear that it intends to dominate the technologies that underpin both the US economy and its national defence.

He added that the US cannot afford to leave open "back doors" that allow the Chinese Communist Party to acquire the tools it needs to leap ahead in semiconductor manufacturing.

The bill could impact the sale of high-end tools such as deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines made by ASML, according to the report.

Other bills advanced include the 'Stop Stealing Our Chips Act' -- which proposes incentives for whistle-blowers to report export control violations, and the 'Deterring American AI Model Theft Act' -- which would allow sanctions on Chinese artificial intelligence firms accused of misusing US-developed models.

Some of the earlier, more sweeping restrictions, were scaled back before the vote, including a proposed blanket ban on certain chipmaking equipment exports.

However, key curbs on advanced tools remain in place, the report said.

The developments come amid intensifying efforts by the US to limit China's technological advancement in areas seen as critical to national security, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

The US semiconductor industry has largely supported stricter controls, with companies raising concerns about competition from Chinese firms such as Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation and others.

- IANS