Republican lawmakers in the United States are demanding more severe sanctions against China’s Huawei and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) following the launch of an advanced Huawei smartphone that raises concerns about the effectiveness of US export controls.
A group of 10 Republican members from the House of Representatives, including chairs of key committees on China, energy, commerce, and defense, have urged the US Commerce Department to impose “full blocking sanctions” on Huawei and SMIC, alongside criminal charges against their executives. Their calls come after the Huawei Mate 60 Pro smartphone, which uses a sophisticated 7-nanometer chip, was released, sparking doubts about whether US export controls were being breached.
The letter, signed by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and other Republicans, outlined several proposed measures, including the revocation of all export licenses currently held by Huawei and SMIC. The lawmakers expressed concerns about the Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) failure to effectively enforce export controls against China, particularly Huawei and SMIC, despite continued Congressional pressure and knowledge of existing loopholes.
Concerns Over US Export Control Effectiveness
The US placed Huawei and SMIC on a trade blacklist in 2019 and 2020 due to national security concerns, requiring US suppliers to obtain special licenses before shipping goods to these companies. Despite these measures, the recent release of the Huawei Mate 60 Pro, which features an advanced processor capable of supporting 5G, has raised questions about the impact of US export controls on China’s technological advancements.
Republican lawmakers, including Mike Gallagher, chair of the House committee on China, have called for a complete halt on all technology exports to Huawei and SMIC, given the smartphone’s advanced capabilities.
The US Commerce Department’s Response
In response to the growing criticism, the Commerce Department stated that it is investigating the capabilities of the new Huawei chip. A spokesperson emphasized that export controls are only one tool in addressing the national security risks posed by China, and the department is committed to ensuring compliance with the rules.
While Huawei and SMIC have not yet responded to requests for comment, the controversy surrounding the release of the Huawei Mate 60 Pro has raised ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of US strategies to limit China’s development of advanced technology.
