U.S. to extend chip equipment license waiver for Samsung, SK Hynix factories in China
- The U.S. is likely to extend a waiver allowing Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to bring chipmaking equipment to factories in China without export licenses.
- The companies previously received a one-year authorization from the Commerce Department to supply equipment for chip production in China.
- Samsung has a NAND flash memory facility in Xian, while SK Hynix produces DRAM and NAND chips in Wuxi and Dalian.
- The extended waiver will allow the Korean firms to keep receiving certain U.S. chip tools under the "validated end user" program.
- The Commerce Department has discussed with the companies which equipment could be permitted for use in China under the waiver.