Overview

• US lawmakers have sent letters to major semiconductor equipment firms, including Applied Materials, Lam Research, KLA, ASML, and Tokyo Electron, seeking detailed sales information to China.
• The House Select Committee on China is concerned that China's access to chipmaking equipment could bolster its military capabilities and lessen the impact of US sanctions.
• Lawmakers argue that China is now the largest market for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, potentially threatening US strategic interests.
• The Biden administration is considering further export controls, despite some industry pushback over potential impacts on competitiveness.
• The companies have been given until December 1 to provide data on their Chinese sales, export licenses, and any plans for production offshoring.