U.S. Commerce Dept. issues new export controls for quantum computing, chip making

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security released a new export control guideline on advanced technologies related to quantum computing and chip manufacturing, a measure designed to restrict technological availability to China.

Quantum computer mockups are exhibited at Quantum Korea 2024 at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi, on June 25. [NEWS1]

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released a new export control guideline on advanced technologies related to quantum computing and chip manufacturing on Thursday, a measure designed to safeguard national security while restricting technological availability to China.

The BIS published the rule regarding regulations on export items under four categories: quantum computing; advanced chip manufacturing equipment; gate all-around field-effect transistor (Gaafet) technology, which produces or develops high-performance computing chips used in supercomputers; and additive manufacturing items, which are equipment and materials used to produce metal or metal alloy components. The regulation, however, also includes an exclusionary clause for countries that implement similar export controls to freely trade the restricted items without receiving approval.

Korea is not included on the list of exempted countries, but the nation’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy believes the impact on domestic businesses will be minimal as members of the Wassenaar Arrangement, including Korea, are presumed to obtain the necessary licenses.

The Korean ministry believes the new measure is aimed at heightening restrictions on advanced technologies for reasons such as national security and diplomacy.

“Today’s action ensures our national export controls keep step with rapidly evolving technologies and are more effective when we work in concert with international partners,” said Alan Estevez, U.S. undersecretary of commerce for industry and security, in a statement. “Aligning our controls on quantum and other advanced technologies makes it significantly more difficult for our adversaries to develop and deploy these technologies in ways that threaten our collective security.”

Although China was not explicitly named in the documents, the export controls conform to the Biden administration's initiatives designed to curb China's advancement in AI and computing.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]