Overview

• Taiwan announced limits on semiconductor shipments to South Africa as part of a 47-item restricted list, citing national security.
• Officials warned the curbs could strain South Africa’s electronics, telecom and auto-parts sectors unless talks occur within 60 days.
• The step follows South Africa’s move to shift Taiwan’s embassy from Pretoria to Johannesburg after a 2023 meeting with China’s Xi Jinping.
• China’s foreign ministry criticized the measure as weaponizing chips and destabilizing supply chains, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said.
• South Africa’s spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said ties with Taiwan are non-political and noted the country supplies platinum-group metals vital to chipmaking.