Lawmakers Want to Block US Purchases of Chinese Chipmaking Equipment

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Chip EQUIP Act on Nov. 20, with the goal of prohibiting American companies from buying Chinese chipmaking equipment. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), chair of the Research and Technology Subcommittee, introduced the bill in the House. It was co-sponsored by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), and Erin Houchin (R-Ind.). Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) are expected to introduce the bill in the Senate in early December. The Chips EQUIP (Equipment Quality, Usefulness, and Integrity Protection) Act would prohibit companies that received CHIPS Act funding from buying specialized semiconductor manufacturing equipment from companies owned or controlled by the Chinese communist regime....