The US has lifted export restrictions on chip design software for China, allowing three key chip companies to resume sales and support to Chinese customers. Siemens AG, Synopsys, and Cadence Design Systems announced that the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security has informed them that the restrictions are no longer in effect. The restrictions, which were outlined in a letter sent to Siemens on May 23, had prohibited the export of electronic design automation (EDA) software and technology to Chinese customers.
EDA software is essential for designing, verifying, and testing integrated circuits, and is a critical component of modern chip creation. The lifting of the restrictions is seen as a move by the US to ease trade frictions with China, which is the world’s largest semiconductor market. Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Zhongguancun Modern Information Consumer Application Industry Technology Alliance, said that the move shows that Washington wants to ease trade tensions with Beijing.
The lifting of the restrictions is also seen as a boost to Chinese chip design software companies, such as Empyrean Technology Co and Shanghai UniVista Industrial Software Group. These companies have been making progress in developing EDA tools, and UniVista has already gained over 200 clients, including major Chinese high-end chip designers.
However, the Chinese government has warned that it will take countermeasures to safeguard its interests and opposes any attempt to reach a trade deal that harms the nation’s well-being. The Ministry of Commerce said that China has taken note of a new trade deal between the US and Vietnam, which imposes tariffs on Vietnamese exports to the US, and is conducting an assessment. The ministry spokesperson, He Yongqian, said that China is pleased to see parties resolve their trade differences with the US through equal consultations, but firmly opposes any attempt to reach a deal at the expense of China’s interests.
The development is seen as a positive step towards easing trade tensions between the US and China, and could have significant implications for the global semiconductor industry. With the lifting of the restrictions, Chinese companies will be able to access critical technology and software, which could help to accelerate the development of China’s chip industry. However, the Chinese government’s warning suggests that there may still be challenges ahead, and that China will continue to prioritize its own interests in any trade negotiations.