U.S. rolls out new chip-related export controls as China makes industry advances

The Biden administration is rolling out new export controls on critical technologies, including quantum computing and semiconductor goods, as China makes advances in the global chips industry.

Released by the U.S. Department of Commerce on Friday, the rules cover quantum computers and components; advanced chipmaking tools; some components and software related to metals and metal alloy; as well as high-bandwidth chips, a critical component for AI applications.

The department cited "national security and foreign policy reasons" for the move, and said it was the product of extensive discussions with international partners.

These restrictions cover worldwide exports, but adds exemptions for countries that add similar controls, such as Japan and the Netherlands have done in the past. The department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) expects more countries will move to impose similar measures.

"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," Alan Estevez, under secretary of the bureau, said 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," he added. 

Officials will hold a 60-day public comment period before issuing a final ruling.

Along with semiconductors, both China and the U.S. seek to be leaders in quantum computing, which they see as a potentially transformative technology. 

Though China is not explicitly named in the documents, the controls are in line with a series of moves the Biden administration has taken to limit