Fact Check: Taiwan's Commerce Ministry added Huawei Technologies and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) to its export control list on September 25, 2023.

Fact Check: Taiwan's Commerce Ministry Added Huawei and SMIC to Export Control List

What We Know

On September 25, 2023, Taiwan's Commerce Ministry officially added Chinese technology firms Huawei Technologies and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) to its export control list. This decision was made amid escalating trade and technology tensions involving Taiwan, China, and the United States. Inclusion on this list requires Taiwanese companies to obtain export permits before selling goods to these firms, which are now categorized under "strategic high-tech commodities" (AP News, Reuters).

The export control list was last updated on the same day, and it includes other entities considered high-risk, such as organizations like the Taliban and al-Qaeda (AP News). Both Huawei and SMIC have faced sanctions from the U.S. in the past, and they are currently engaged in the development of advanced artificial intelligence chips to compete with U.S. firms like Nvidia (AP News, Bloomberg).

Analysis

The claim that Taiwan's Commerce Ministry added Huawei and SMIC to its export control list is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press, Reuters, and the Washington Post all report the same information, confirming the inclusion of these companies in response to national security considerations and ongoing geopolitical tensions (AP News, Reuters, Washington Post).

The sources used in this fact-check are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. The Associated Press and Reuters are particularly noted for their global coverage and have a history of accurately reporting on international affairs. The Washington Post also provides in-depth analysis and reporting on technology and trade issues, further supporting the reliability of the information presented.

While there are other sources that discuss the implications of this decision, such as the South China Morning Post and Bloomberg, the core claim remains consistent across all major outlets. The decision reflects Taiwan's strategic positioning in the global semiconductor industry, especially as it is home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest chipmaker (Bloomberg).

Conclusion

The claim that Taiwan's Commerce Ministry added Huawei Technologies and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) to its export control list on September 25, 2023, is True. This conclusion is based on corroborating reports from multiple reliable news sources, all of which confirm the actions taken by Taiwan's Commerce Ministry in light of increasing trade and technology tensions.

Sources

1. Taiwan adds China's Huawei and SMIC to export control list
2. Taiwan adds China's Huawei and SMIC to export control list
3. Taiwan adds China's Huawei and SMIC to export control list
4. Taiwan Imposes Technology Export Controls on Huawei, SMIC
5. Taiwan adds Huawei, SMIC to trade blacklist amid escalating US-China tech rivalry