Biden’s Chip Curbs Outdo Trump in Forcing World to Align on China
As the president meets with Xi Jinping, Washington’s tough new export controls on key technology are riling Beijing and US allies alike.
ASML technicians assemble an extreme ultraviolet lithography machine which will be used to make advanced microchips.
Source: ASML Holding NV
President Joe Biden came to office pledging to abandon Donald Trump’s with-us-or-against-us approach to China. Instead, he’s forcing US partners to pick sides in a deepening global technology standoff.
Sweeping US curbs announced last month on the sale of semiconductors and chipmaking equipment to China mark a step change in the Biden administration’s approach to its chief geopolitical rival. That’s not just a challenge to Beijing, but also asks tough questions of allies — and presents Washington with a dilemma over how far it’s willing to squeeze them to comply.