US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says Huawei's Kirin 9000 System-on-Chip (SoC) is less advanced than US processors, proving that US sanctions on Huawei are effective.
Huawei's Mate 60 Pro's Kirin 9000s processor has been criticized since its August launch, despite US sanctions on China, according to Techspot. Due to US restrictions, SMIC uses its 7nm (N+2) technology to make the chip, but it lacks access to cutting-edge Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography tools. It appears that the US Commerce Department is investigating whether SMIC violated US regulations in making the chip.
In a 60-minute interview, Raimondo noted the controversial chip's perceived technological lag, saying, "Export controls are working because that chip is not nearly as good... It's years behind what we have here in the United States. We have the most sophisticated semiconductors. China doesn't. We've out-innovated China."
Raimondo: National Security is Primary Concern
Raimondo stressed the need to block China and Russia from getting sophisticated US-designed chips for national security. Semiconductors, AI, and drones are crucial to national security, she said.
In the conversation about US-China commerce, Raimondo stressed the importance of national security in technological exchanges. Trade with China is important for jobs, but Raimondo stressed the need to prioritize national security in crucial industries.
Raimondo proposed the CHIPS Act to revive indigenous semiconductor manufacturing. Recently, Samsung, TSMC, and Intel have received funding to expand their US fabrication plants under this law.
Huawei's recent scandals, notably the MateBook X Pro's Meteor Lake CPUs, were discussed. When asked about her strategy, Raimondo stressed making huge firms like Intel accountable, particularly in enforcing semiconductor sales restrictions in China.
TechTimes previously reported that Huawei Technologies disclosed strong earnings last year, despite US government sanctions. The Chinese IT giant credits its strong performance to its cloud and digital areas.
Huawei's latest Shenzhen financial report shows a net profit of 87 billion yuan ($12 billion). Sales and product improvements drove this rise. Huawei sales rose nearly 10% to 704.2 billion yuan ($97.4 billion).
(Photo : MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo speaks during the 54th Annual Meeting of The Semafor 2024 World Economy Summit in Washington, DC, on April 17, 2024.
US Report: China Helping Russian Military
A recently released US study found that China has been helping Russia expand its military the most since the Soviet era, as reported by The Guardian. This support includes expanded sales of machine tools and microelectronics, which Moscow uses to make missiles, tanks, planes, and other weapons for its Ukraine conflict.
US authorities anticipate that revealing this material will compel European partners to challenge China over its role. This endeavor coincides with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Beijing visit and the G7 foreign ministers' conference in Italy next week.
China assists Russia in drone production, space-based capabilities, and ballistic missile machine tool exports, according to US research.
A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said China had helped revive Russia's defense manufacturing base, which has suffered since the invasion of Ukraine. He was quoted in the report saying, "Russia is undertaking its most ambitious defense expansion since the Soviet era and on a faster timeline than we believed possible early on in this conflict."
The official highlighted the need to convince China to stop supporting Russia in rebuilding its military-industrial base. The person stated that Russia would struggle to fight without Chinese support.
According to US sources, China imported almost 70% of Russia's $900 million machine tools in the fourth quarter of 2023, possibly for ballistic missile manufacturing. Last year, China supplied 90% of Russia's microelectronics needed to make missiles, tanks, and planes.
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