EXPORT RESTRICTION TIMELINE

Published: Jul. 31, 2025 1:39 p.m. GMT+8

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

Major U.S.-led Efforts to Limit China’s Chip and AI Ambitions
August 2022	The U.S. limits sales of electronic design automation (EDA) software critical for the development of chips with an advanced gate-all-around transistor structure.
October 2022	The U.S. Department of Commerce implements sweeping export controls on certain advanced computing chips, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and supercomputer-related products to China. The controls also require companies to obtain licenses to export these U.S.-made products to China. Restricts “U.S. persons” from supporting the development or production of certain semiconductor products in China-based fabs. Adds 31 Chinese semiconductor companies, universities and research institutions to its “unverified list.”
January 2023	Japan and the Netherlands join the U.S.’ campaign to restrict exports of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China.
July 2023	Japan’s updated export controls on 23 types of advanced semiconductor manufacturing gear take effect.
September 2023	The Netherlands begins requiring a license to export certain advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment from the country.
October 2023	The U.S.’ Bureau of Industry and Security further restricts the types of semiconductors that American firms can sell to China, including Nvidia’s A800 and H800 chips, which were specifically modified for the Chinese market. The BIS adds 13 Chinese firms to the U.S.’ Entity List. The BIS identified these companies as being “involved in the development of advanced computing chips.” The U.S. expands restrictions on additional ASML deep ultraviolet lithography equipment exports to certain Chinese semiconductor plants.
December 2024	The U.S. announces export restrictions on high-bandwidth memory, 24 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and three types of software tools for developing or producing semiconductors. The U.S. adds 140 Beijing-linked entities to its Entity List, including semiconductor fabs, tool companies and investment firms.
January 2025	The U.S. requires licenses for the export, reexport and in-country transfer of advanced computing chips in a change designed to prevent China from accessing high-end semiconductors via resale. Restricts exports of AI model weights, which are critical parameters for optimizing machine learning models. Issues stricter export controls on chips made with 14-nanometer, 16-nanometer or more advanced processes from contract manufacturers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Adds 25 China-based companies and two Singapore-based firms to its Entity List.
April 2025	The U.S. tells Nvidia it will need a special license to export H20 chips to China. The H20 is an even lower-performance chip specifically designed for the Chinese market after sales of Nvidia’s A800 and H800 chips to China were restricted in October 2023. In July, CEO Jensen Huang said it would resume deliveries of the chip to China following an agreement with the Trump administration.
May 2025	The U.S. Department of Commerce asks several EDA software giants, including Siemens EDA, Cadence and Synopsys, to obtain a license before exporting certain EDA software and technology to China. The measure was reversed in early July.

Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.

Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.

Share this article

Open WeChat and scan the QR code

DIGEST HUB

Digest Hub

Back

GALLERY

: Gallery: Powerful Quake Strikes Off Japan

NEWSLETTERS

Get our CX Daily, weekly Must-Read and China Green Bulletin newsletters delivered free to your inbox, bringing you China's top headlines.

We ‘ve added you to our subscriber list.

Manage subscription

PODCAST

Caixin Deep Dive: Chinese Local Governments Risk Replicating Mistakes of LGFVs

00:00

00:00/00:00

MOST POPULAR

1: At China’s Spring Festival Gala, Robotics Becomes Big Business

2: U.K. Proposes Easing Audit Rules to Attract Chinese Listings

3: ByteDance’s Doubao Dominates Spring Festival Gala With 1.9 Billion AI Interactions

4: Commentary: How China Breaks the U.S. Grip and Builds Resilience in Oil Security

5: French Police Break Up 10 Million Euro Louvre Ticket Scam Targeting Chinese Tourists

SPONSORED

OR