Overview

• Taiwan’s Economic Ministry said it suspended publication of the export-control notice after consultations with the Foreign Ministry.
• The shelved plan, announced on 23 September, would have required pre-approval for most semiconductor shipments to South Africa as part of 47 restricted product lines, with a 60‑day notice before taking effect in late November.
• Officials had framed the proposed controls as a response to Pretoria’s push to relocate Taiwan’s de facto embassy from Pretoria to Johannesburg following closer engagement with Beijing.
• China’s foreign ministry accused Taipei of destabilizing chip supply chains and weaponizing semiconductors, while South Africa’s Democratic Alliance warned of heavy industrial and jobs losses.
• Reporters and analysts described the initial move as unprecedented for Taiwan, and the reversal reflects concern over global supply-chain blowback and potential effects on companies such as TSMC.