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US chip ban could hurt TSMC
The US government's decision to impose new restrictions on the sale of semiconductors and chipmaking equipment to China could negatively impact Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's sales, according to Trendforce.
The measures include the requirement that advanced computing chips, including those used in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, and production equipment cannot be sold to China without a license.According to Trendforce, that likely means prohibiting the shipment of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and advanced chips to Chinese companies, but sales to foreign companies operating in China will still be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The information advisory firm says sales of TSMC's advanced chips from its fabs here in Taiwan to Chinese clients could be curtailed. Trendforce has not provided any estimates of the possible impact on TSMC's sales and TSMC is declining to comment, saying only that it was in its quiet period ahead of its quarterly earnings conference this Thursday.
Meanwhile, China has criticized the latest US decision to tighten export controls that would make it harder for China to obtain and manufacture advanced computing chips, calling it a violation of international economic and trade rules that will “isolate and backfire” on the US.China’s foreign ministry spokesperson accused the US of abusing its export control measures to maliciously block and suppress Chinese companies. Washington says it's part of efforts to protect its national security.