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Korean chipmakers face China export dilemma after Trump Xi talks
Technology
Published on 15 May 2026
Easing curbs could sell to China while quietly helping rivals
Korean semiconductor firms are caught between profit and long-term risk after the Trump Xi summit in Beijing reignited US China negotiations on chip export controls and rare earth leverage. Washington has tightened equipment limits to slow AI and high performance computing, and may loosen some curbs if China secures stable rare earth supplies and buys more US goods. Meanwhile, US approval for H200 chip purchases by about 10 Chinese companies suggests broader policy movement, but the stakes hinge on whether China gains advanced EUV lithography access.
- Summit focus includes US export controls and China rare earth leverage
- Washington recently tightened semiconductor equipment exports to China
- US could ease some restrictions if China guarantees rare earth stability
- About 10 Chinese firms received H200 purchase approvals under licenses
- Analysts fear any relaxation tied to 14nm and 7nm would be closely watched
- EUV access remains the dividing line for whether China can accelerate catch up
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times