U.S.-China relations during the Biden era have been marked by efforts from both sides to undermine each other's access to the most advanced semiconductors and other key technologies.
Chips are today universally understood as the gateway technology to cutting edge developments in every field that matters when it comes to geopolitical power, including consumer electronics, military equipment and artificial intelligence.
The Chinese government has announced a new $47.5 billion public fund aimed at fueling the country's self-reliance in manufacturing advanced chips.
Biden's Moat Around Semiconductors: About one year-and-a-half ago, one tech pundit called a move by Biden to bar U.S. citizens from collaborating with Chinese chip companies "a serious act of industry-wide decapitation."
The quote comes from Chinese developer and influencer Lidang, reacting to a measure that could have U.S. citizens risk losing their citizenship if they continue to work for, or offer services to, a black list of Chinese semiconductor companies.
“This is what annihilation looks like: China's semiconductor manufacturing industry was reduced to zero overnight. Complete collapse. No chance of survival,” said Lidang at the time.
But now, China appears set on gaining semiconductor independence.
Biden's move was one in a long list of measures by his administration to both boost domestic production of semiconductors and build a blockade against China's advances.
So far, incentives for the ...