US to gather chips supply chain intel to boost national security

WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (AFP): The United States said Thursday it would launch a review into how companies procure Chinese-made semiconductors, aiming to reduce national security risks posed by China.
The assessment will be launched in January 2024 and will focus on legacy chips -- semiconductors that are not cutting-edge but still key to industries, said the Department of Commerce in a statement.
"Over the last few years, we've seen potential signs of concerning practices from the PRC to expand their firms' legacy chip production and make it harder for US companies to compete," said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, referring to the People's Republic of China.
Such semiconductors are needed in industries like telecommunications, the automotive sector and in the defense industrial base, she added.
With an eye on these concerns, the department will assess the US semiconductor supply chain by collecting data from American companies to gauge their reliance on chips manufactured in China.