Fact Check: "The U.S. ordered Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to halt supplies of certain advanced chips to Chinese customers in November 2022."
What We Know
In November 2022, the U.S. government implemented new export control measures aimed at restricting the supply of advanced chips to China, particularly those that could be used for artificial intelligence (AI) applications. According to reports, the U.S. Department of Commerce mandated Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to cease shipments of high-performance AI chips to Chinese customers due to concerns over potential violations of export restrictions by companies like Huawei, which is considered a national security threat by the U.S. government (Reuters, Computerworld).
TSMC's decision to halt shipments was influenced by the discovery that one of its chips had been found in a Huawei device, prompting scrutiny over how the company verifies compliance with U.S. regulations (New York Times). The new directive specifically targeted chips manufactured at the 7-nanometer process and below, which are crucial for AI applications (Computerworld).
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. ordered TSMC to stop supplying certain advanced chips to Chinese customers is supported by multiple credible sources. The New York Times reported that TSMC would review orders to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations, indicating a direct response to U.S. government directives. Furthermore, the Reuters article outlines the context of these restrictions, emphasizing the U.S. government's ongoing efforts to limit China's access to advanced technology due to national security concerns.
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting on technology and international trade issues. The information aligns with broader trends in U.S.-China relations, particularly regarding technology and national security, which adds to its credibility.
However, it is important to note that while TSMC's decision appears to be a direct response to U.S. orders, the company has publicly stated its commitment to complying with all applicable rules and regulations (Computerworld). This suggests that TSMC is navigating a complex regulatory environment where compliance is critical to its operations.
Conclusion
The claim that the U.S. ordered TSMC to halt supplies of certain advanced chips to Chinese customers in November 2022 is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the U.S. government implemented restrictions that required TSMC to stop shipments of advanced AI chips to China, particularly in light of compliance concerns related to Huawei.
