U.S. considers AI memory chip restrictions on China

[Photo by Reuters / Yonhap]

The United States is reportedly considering imposing unilateral restrictions on China’s access to high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, a move that would escalate the tech rivalry between the world’s two biggest economies.

According to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday, the U.S. government could announce sanctions in August to keep Samsung Electronics Co., SK hynix Inc., and Micron Technology Inc. from supplying Chinese firms with HBMs.

The move follows China’s rush to increase its investment in HBM production, with a recent investment worth 344 billion yuan ($46.6 billion).

In response to the report, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, two of three firms that dominate the world’s HBM market, said they are closely monitoring the situation. Ramifications, however, are unlikely as their China-bound supplies are minimal.