U.S. Aims to Revoke Semiconductor Export Exemptions – Coincu

Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC face potential changes as the U.S. considers revoking semiconductor export exemptions in China, according to Wall Street Journal on June 20, 2025.

The revocation could impact operations in China, despite U.S. assurances against rising trade tensions, leaving significant uncertainties for global supply chains.

U.S. to Impact Major Semiconductor Operations in China

A U.S. official has informed major semiconductor manufacturers, including Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC, about plans to potentially revoke their export exemptions in China due to broader crackdowns on technology. Revoking these waivers aligns with U.S. policies to limit tech transfers.

Changes affecting operations in China include potential disruptions for these firms, who currently use U.S. technology in their Chinese facilities without separate licenses. This move could lead to increased compliance costs if exemptions are revoked.

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, stated, “Our efforts are focused on protecting U.S. interests in foreign technology trade, particularly with nations that pose a national security risk.”

Historical Impact and Economic Implications of Exemption Changes

Did you know? Revocation of technology export exemptions has historical precedence in U.S.-China relations, often leading to periods of market volatility, although recent actions aim to “review” rather than escalate.

Recent analysis from CoinMarketCap reports Ethereum at $2,426.19, with a market cap of $292.89 billion, showing a 3.20% drop in the last 24 hours. Notably, ETH’s 60-day upsurge stands at 54.04%. At the time of writing, the trading volume was $18.44 billion.

Insights indicate that a move to revoke semiconductor export exemptions could trigger operational shifts and supply chain adjustments for affected firms. Historical patterns suggest the potential for technology tensions to influence the global economy, though no direct impact on digital assets such as Ethereum and Bitcoin is confirmed yet.