Minnesota Judge Rejects Bid to Halt Trump Immigration Enforcement in Minneapolis 
Anthropic Eyes $350 Billion Valuation as AI Funding and Share Sale Accelerate 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
Global PC Makers Eye Chinese Memory Chip Suppliers Amid Ongoing Supply Crunch 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering 
Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border 
Panama Supreme Court Voids CK Hutchison Port Concessions, Raising Geopolitical and Trade Concerns 
Jensen Huang Urges Taiwan Suppliers to Boost AI Chip Production Amid Surging Demand 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Uber Ordered to Pay $8.5 Million in Bellwether Sexual Assault Lawsuit 
Nintendo Shares Slide After Earnings Miss Raises Switch 2 Margin Concerns 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Tencent Shares Slide After WeChat Restricts YuanBao AI Promotional Links 
Trump Orders DHS to Avoid Protests in Democratic Cities Unless Federal Assets Are Threatened 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
The U.S. Department of Commerce is reportedly weighing the revocation of special authorizations granted to global chipmakers Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC, potentially limiting their access to American chipmaking equipment and technology in China. This move, still under consideration, could complicate semiconductor manufacturing for these firms in China, where they supply chips for various industries.
Following a 2022 crackdown on semiconductor exports to China, the U.S. granted temporary authorizations and later issued Validated End User (VEU) status to these companies, enabling streamlined access to U.S.-made technology without repeated licensing. The possible revocation of these privileges would align these companies with stricter export controls already imposed on Chinese semiconductor firms.
A White House official emphasized that the Trump administration currently has no intention of implementing the restrictions but wants the option available if U.S.-China trade relations deteriorate. “It’s another tool in our toolbox,” the official said, suggesting preparations for a potential breakdown in agreements over rare earth exports and semiconductor cooperation.
Shares of U.S. chip equipment suppliers, including KLA Corp, Lam Research, and Applied Materials, dropped following reports of the move. Meanwhile, shares of Micron Technology, a competitor in the memory chip sector, rose by 1.5%.
Industry analysts warn that curbing equipment exports to foreign chipmakers in China could inadvertently benefit Chinese semiconductor firms by reducing competition. While TSMC declined to comment, Samsung, SK Hynix, and U.S. suppliers have yet to respond.
The Commerce Department stated that any changes would maintain fair competition and ensure reciprocal trade enforcement. VEU status allows foreign firms to receive U.S. technology under strict conditions, including compliance with equipment restrictions and reporting rules.
This potential policy shift could reshape global semiconductor supply chains and impact the tech industry’s competitive landscape.
