China criticizes tightened US export restrictions | Economy

The US government last week adjusted export restrictions on chips and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to China. The rules now state more clearly that the restrictions also apply to laptops containing these chips.

The US move “harms cooperation between Chinese and foreign companies and harms their rights and interests,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Economic Affairs said. “China is definitely against this.”

The Americans are afraid that China is using the high technology for military purposes. Beijing opposes that explanation. “The US has broadened the concept of national security and arbitrarily revised the rules,” the spokesperson said.

The Netherlands has also limited exports to China. For example, chip machine manufacturer ASML is now no longer allowed to supply several of its advanced machines to Chinese companies.