US finalises rules to prevent China from benefiting from US$52 billion in chips funding

The US Commerce Department on Friday (Sep 22) is issuing final rules to prevent semiconductor manufacturing subsidies from being used by China and other countries deemed to pose American national security concerns.

The US Commerce Department on Friday (Sep 22) is issuing final rules to prevent semiconductor manufacturing subsidies from being used by China and other countries deemed to pose American national security concerns.

The regulation is the final hurdle before the Biden administration can begin awarding US$39 billion in subsidies for semiconductor production. The landmark "Chips and Science" law provides US$52.7 billion for US semiconductor production, research and workforce development.

The regulation, first proposed in March, sets "guardrails" by limiting recipients of US funding from investing in expanding semiconductor manufacturing in foreign countries of concern like China and Russia, and limits recipients of incentive funds from engaging in joint research or technology licensing efforts with foreign entities of concern.

In October 2022, the department issued new export controls to cut China off from certain semiconductor chips made with US equipment in its bid to slow Beijing's technological and military advances.

"We have to be absolutely vigilant that not a penny of this helps China to get ahead of us," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Congress on Tuesday.