Yazılar

U.S. Considers Annual Chip Supply Approvals for Samsung and SK Hynix China Plants

/in /tarafından

The United States is weighing a proposal to require Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to seek annual approvals for shipping chipmaking equipment and supplies to their China-based factories, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The plan, presented by the U.S. Commerce Department to Korean officials last week, would replace the current validated end user (VEU) designations that granted the chipmakers indefinite export authorizations. Those designations are set to expire at the end of 2025.

Under the draft proposal, Samsung and SK Hynix would need yearly approval for specific quantities of restricted tools and materials, adding regulatory steps but ensuring their Chinese fabs can keep operating. The companies are among the largest foreign chipmakers with plants in China, supplying memory chips vital to global electronics.

Reactions in Seoul were mixed—officials expressed relief that a framework for continued operations remains, but concern over the added bureaucratic burden and potential supply chain uncertainties.

The move comes against the backdrop of intensifying U.S.-China semiconductor tensions. Since 2022, Washington has imposed sweeping export controls to curb Beijing’s chip and AI capabilities. The Biden administration had granted waivers to Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC to soften the blow to allied companies, but the Trump administration has pushed for tighter oversight.

The situation is further complicated by political strain: Washington revoked prior waivers days after former South Korean President Lee Jae Myung—who advocated a more balanced U.S.-China stance—signed a defense and investment deal with Trump. Recent U.S. immigration raids on Korean firms’ American subsidiaries have also fueled friction.

Nvidia Warns U.S. GAIN AI Act Could Harm Competition, Echoes AI Diffusion Rule

/in /tarafından

Nvidia criticized the proposed GAIN AI Act on Friday, warning that it would restrict global competition and hurt the U.S. economy much like last year’s AI Diffusion Rule, which limited the export of high-performance chips.

The Guaranteeing Access and Innovation for National Artificial Intelligence Act, introduced as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, would require AI chipmakers to prioritize domestic orders before fulfilling foreign contracts. Exporters would also need licenses to ship chips above certain performance thresholds, specifically processors rated 4,800 or higher in total computing power.

In a statement, Nvidia argued the law addresses a non-existent issue:

“We never deprive American customers in order to serve the rest of the world. In trying to solve a problem that does not exist, the proposed bill would restrict competition worldwide in any industry that uses mainstream computing chips.”

The Act mirrors the AI Diffusion Rule enacted under President Joe Biden, which rationed computing capacity among allies while cutting off rivals like China. Both measures reflect Washington’s effort to secure U.S. access to advanced silicon and limit China’s AI capabilities, particularly amid concerns about its military applications.

The debate comes just weeks after President Donald Trump struck a deal with Nvidia allowing the company to resume certain AI chip exports to China in exchange for the U.S. government receiving a cut of sales—an unprecedented arrangement underscoring the geopolitical stakes around advanced semiconductors.

If enacted, the GAIN AI Act could reshape the global AI hardware supply chain, tightening U.S. control over who gets access to the most powerful chips.

EU Slaps Google With $3.45B Antitrust Fine Over Adtech Practices

/in /tarafından

The European Commission has fined Google €2.95 billion ($3.45 billion) for abusing its dominance in the online advertising technology market, marking the fourth major penalty against the company in a decade-long battle with EU regulators.

The Commission found that since 2014, Google has favored its own ad exchange AdX within the adtech supply chain, charging high fees that disadvantaged rivals and online publishers. Google has been ordered to end self-preferencing and conflicts of interest, with 60 days to present a compliance plan.

EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera warned that stronger remedies—including a potential breakup—remain on the table if Google fails to make credible changes. “Digital markets exist to serve people and must be grounded in trust and fairness,” Ribera said.

The case has stirred transatlantic tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump blasted the fine as “unfair” and threatened retaliation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows tariffs on countries that impose “unjustifiable” burdens on U.S. commerce.

Google immediately vowed to appeal, calling the decision “wrong” and arguing it would harm European businesses. “There are more alternatives to our services than ever before,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company’s VP of regulatory affairs.

Critics, including the European Publishers Council, said the fine alone is insufficient. “A fine will not fix Google’s abuse of its adtech,” said executive director Angela Mills Wade, urging a breakup to protect Europe’s struggling media sector.

The penalty follows Google’s previous EU fines: €4.3 billion in 2018, €2.42 billion in 2017, and €1.49 billion in 2019. Meanwhile, Google faces a separate U.S. trial in September after a judge found it holds illegal monopolies in online advertising.

Google’s ad business remains the world’s largest, generating $264.6 billion in 2024, or 76% of Alphabet’s total revenue.