US Pressures Japan and Netherlands to Tighten Exports to China

The US is urging Japan and the Netherlands to tighten restrictions on exports of chipmaking equipment to China due to concerns about advanced chip production by blacklisted Chinese tech companies. Washington imposed unilateral export controls in October 2022 to hinder Chinese efforts to acquire high-performance semiconductors for military use. The Biden administration desires tighter export restrictions to close existing gaps and is pressuring South Korea to join Japan and the Netherlands in imposing controls. China's surge in imports of foreign semiconductor equipment before the Dutch and Japanese controls heightens worry. In response, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi condemned US efforts to deny China access to advanced technologies.