US Congress Speeds Up Efforts to Tighten Semiconductor Export Controls on China

The US Congress is moving with bipartisan speed to advance three bills on semiconductor export controls targeting China. Lawmakers from both parties are pushing to fold tougher semiconductor export restrictions on China into the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual bill that sets US defense budgets and policy priorities. The idea is to attach the three measures—known as the 'semiconductor control bills'—to this key annual security legislation to boost their chances of passage.

The bills focus on blocking China's pathways to acquiring advanced US semiconductors and manufacturing technology. However, it has not yet been decided whether all three will be included in the defense authorization bill. Disagreements remain over a proposal that would extend controls to manufacturing equipment made by US allies.

Within the US semiconductor industry, concerns have been raised that overly broad export controls could weaken the competitiveness of American companies and, paradoxically, help Chinese firms grow.