US blacklists Sophgo, focuses on chips and technology security | Hardware computer list | 5 basic components of cpu | List of hardware components | Turtles AI
The United States has added the Chinese company Sophgo to the Entity List, citing national security risks. The company is suspected of helping develop advanced chips for Huawei. In parallel, removed restrictions on three Indian nuclear entities.
Key points:
- Restrictions on Sophgo: The Chinese company is accused of indirectly supporting Huawei through AI technology and RISC-V architecture.
- TSMC and silicon concerns: Taiwan’s TSMC reportedly halted collaborations with Sophgo over suspicions related to the Ascend 910B AI accelerator.
- Focus on U.S. security: U.S. aims to block China’s advanced military technology development.
- Changes for India: Removed three Indian entities from list, strengthening peaceful nuclear cooperation with New Delhi.
The United States decided to expand the Entity List to include the Chinese company Sophgo, deemed a potential national security risk. Sophgo, known for its involvement in the semiconductor industry, has been associated with chip production for Huawei, although both companies have denied direct ties. The main suspicion concerns an order placed by Sophgo with Taiwanese giant TSMC, which would appear to be linked to Huawei’s Ascend 910B AI accelerator. Although no official collaboration is confirmed, details about the production chain and the possibility of counterfeit components further complicate the situation. TSMC, in compliance with U.S. regulations, has severed relations with Sophgo, highlighting its commitment to report potential ties with Huawei, which has already been restricted since 2019.
Sophgo’s inclusion on the risky entity list reflects a broader U.S. strategy to restrict China’s access to advanced technologies for military applications. The decision also includes an unidentified Chinese entity involved in the development of advanced lithography technologies critical to the manufacture of semiconductors for next-generation manufacturing nodes. In the context of these restrictions, the role of the RISC-V architecture emerges. This open source technology, which allows for the free sharing of innovations, is at the heart of Chinese efforts to produce chips competitive with the products of Nvidia, Intel and AMD, which are currently inaccessible due to sanctions. The possible connection between Sophgo’s activities and RISC-V development in China could have implications for the entire technology community operating on this open platform.
At the same time, the Bureau of Industry & Security removed three Indian entities from the Entity List, including Indian Rare Earths and the Indira Gandhi and Bhabha Nuclear Research Centers. This decision reflects the growing rapprochement between the United States and India, two nations that share the goal of promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and strengthening scientific collaboration. Although India maintains a unique diplomatic balance with Russia, the strengthening partnership with Washington underscores an evolving strategic alliance, including in the context of global dynamics related to advanced technology and energy security.
The U.S. stance toward Sophgo and China, as well as the easing of restrictions toward India, testifies to a broader strategy to shape the geopolitical balance through the regulation of advanced technology.