China’s export curbs a ‘warning’ to US, state media says

State-run Global Times says China will not be ‘passively’ squeezed out of the global semiconductor supply chain.

Chinese state media has described restrictions on exports of rare metals used for making semiconductors and electric cars as a “warning” to the United States that China will not be squeezed out of global supply chains.

In an editorial published on Tuesday, the Global Times said Washington and its allies have sought to suppress China’s tech sector with no regard for the “potential damage the technological iron curtain may cause to global supply and industrial chains”.

“But now the question is how long Washington can ignore the warning over the consequences when China starts taking legitimate and reasonable measures to safeguard its national security and interests,” the state-backed newspaper said.

“Compared with the US pressuring allies to cooperate on chip bans against China, China’s move this time may be more of a warning, showing that China will not be passively squeezed out of the global semiconductor supply chain,” the newspaper added.

Separately, the state-run China Daily on Wednesday quoted a former Chinese official saying the curbs were “just the start” of Beijing’s sanctions and measures.

“(China’s) export control of chip-making materials was a well-thought-out heavy punch,” Wei Jianguo, a former vice commerce minister, said in an interview, adding that countermeasures would escalate as long as measures aimed at China’s high-technology sector continue.