On April 1, 2025, it was announced that the Department of Commerce had initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to determine the effects on the national security of imports of semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME), and their derivative products. This includes, among other things, semiconductor substrates and
BIS Seeks to Further Strengthen Export Controls Targeting China’s Advanced Semiconductor Industry
On December 2, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued two new rulemakings in an ongoing effort to “further impair [China’s] capability to produce advanced-node semiconductors that can be used in the next generation of advanced weapon systems and in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computing, which have significant military
Following U.S. Lead, Canada Announces New Tariffs on Chinese EVs, Steel and Aluminum
On August 26, 2024, the Department of Finance Canada announced the country would introduce a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) and a 25% tariff on certain Chinese steel and aluminum products. The press release, citing “unfair, non-market policies and practices” by China coupled with a “lack of rigorous labour and environmental standards,” thus
CHIPS Incentives Program – Notice of Funding Opportunity for Small Business Innovation Research Program for CHIPS for America: CHIPS Metrology
- On April 16, 2024, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of the Department of Commerce, announced the launch of a new funding opportunity called the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program for CHIPS for America – CHIPS Metrology.
- The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is aimed at enhancing small businesses’
BIS Releases Interim Final Rule Further Revising Export Controls on Advanced Computing and Semiconductor Manufacturing
On April 4, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released another Interim Final Rule (IFR) offering clarification and correcting inadvertent errors made in earlier rulemakings regarding the implementation of significant export controls on certain advanced computing items and supercomputer and semiconductor end use. This latest rule is effective April 4
White House Releases Updated Critical and Emerging Technologies List
The Executive Office of the President, via the National Science and Technology Council, has released an updated list of critical and emerging technologies that are potentially significant to U.S. national security. This list updates and revises the critical technologies list identified in the October 2020 report, “National Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technologies” and an
Commerce Issues Further Export Controls Targeting China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing and Advanced Computing Capabilities
- These two Interim Final Rules reinforce the October 7, 2022, controls appended to the EAR to restrict China’s ability to both purchase and manufacture certain high-end chips critical for military advantage.
- The rules impose controls on additional types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, adjust the parameters that determine whether an advanced computing chip is
CHIPS Incentives Program – Notice of Funding Opportunity for Facilities for Semiconductor Materials and Manufacturing Equipment
- On September 29, 2023, the United States Department of Commerce launched a new funding opportunity for projects involving the construction, expansion, or modernization of semiconductor materials and semiconductor manufacturing equipment facilities under the CHIPS Act of 2022.
- Projects within scope are expected to involve a complete capital investment range between $20 million and $300
BIS Adds 13 Chinese Companies to Entity List for Involvement in Developing Advanced Computing Chips
On October 17, 2023, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a Final Rule adding two Chinese entities and their subsidiaries (a total of 13 entities) to the Entity List due to their involvement in the development of advanced computing chips and having been found to be engaged in activities contrary
BIS Issues Proposed Rule to Establish “Guardrails” to Prevent the Improper Use of CHIPS Act Funding
On March 23, 2023, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking implementing measures to prevent the improper use of CHIPS Act Incentives Program funding. Described as “guardrails,” the proposed rules are intended to ensure technology and innovation funded by the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors