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U.S. Eases Chip Software and Ethane Export Curbs Amid China Trade Truce

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The United States has lifted export restrictions on chip design software and ethane to China, signaling further de-escalation of trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The move follows Beijing’s agreement to ease controls on rare earth exports—a key concession that helped maintain a fragile trade truce.

Restrictions Reversed

Leading electronic design automation (EDA) software firms—Synopsys, Cadence Design Systems, and Siemens—confirmed they are resuming sales and support for Chinese customers after receiving notification from the U.S. Department of Commerce that prior restrictions have been revoked.

  • Siemens announced Thursday it has restarted business operations in China, causing its shares to rise 1.7% after market opening.

  • Synopsys said it plans to restore customer access within three business days.

The EDA tools, essential for advanced semiconductor design, are dominated by these three firms, which together control over 70% of China’s market, according to Xinhua.

Ethane Export Curbs Also Rescinded

On the same day, the U.S. government also notified ethane producers that licensing requirements imposed in May and June had been withdrawn, allowing resumption of exports to China.

These curbs had been part of a broader U.S. response to China’s April suspension of rare earth exports, which had disrupted global supply chains for automakers, aerospace firms, chipmakers, and military contractors.

The Bigger Picture: Rare Earths for Rollbacks

According to a source familiar with the internal U.S. strategy, the Biden administration took a calculated step:

“The U.S. have escalated to de-escalate. They put restrictions on many more items in order to get the Chinese to back off on rare earths.”

Following negotiations, both sides reportedly confirmed a framework agreement in which:

  • China will review export applications for sensitive goods,

  • And the U.S. will roll back countermeasures imposed earlier this year.

China’s Commerce Ministry affirmed the arrangement last Friday, paving the way for what analysts describe as a return to February-March status quo.

Remaining Uncertainties

Despite the rollback on EDA tools and ethane, it remains unclear whether the U.S. has also lifted other strategic restrictions, including:

  • GE Aerospace’s license suspension for jet engine exports to COMAC’s C919 aircraft,

  • Or limitations on nuclear equipment suppliers selling to Chinese power plants.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has not yet commented on the latest developments.

Outlook

With both countries aiming to stabilize economic relations amid broader geopolitical tensions, more trade rollbacks could follow—particularly if the framework agreement holds. However, sector-specific restrictions tied to national security concerns are likely to remain or evolve in other forms.