Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has called on Japan to reject the United States’ efforts to restrict China’s semiconductor industry. Qin accused the US of employing “bullying tactics” against Japan’s semiconductor sector and warned that it is doing the same to China. He urged Japan not to collaborate with the US in its endeavors and emphasized that China will be motivated to continue pursuing self-sufficiency in the face of the imposed embargo.
Semiconductors play a crucial role in a wide range of products, including household appliances, consumer electronics, and military equipment, making them a focal point in the technological power struggle between the US and China. Last year, the US Department of Commerce implemented regulations aimed at preventing China from obtaining or producing advanced chips, which could impede the domestic semiconductor ambitions of the world’s second-largest economy. The success of these restrictions depends on the participation of other key nations in the semiconductor supply chain, including Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has called on Japan to refrain from supporting US sanctions on China’s semiconductor industry, highlighting the painful experiences Japan faced as a result of similar US measures targeting Japan’s semiconductor sector in the past. Japan holds a crucial position in the semiconductor supply chain, with major companies such as Sony and Tokyo Electron playing significant roles.
Balancing Trade Relations
Although Japan has imposed export restrictions on certain semiconductor manufacturing equipment, it has not explicitly singled out China. Similarly, the Netherlands, home to the critical semiconductor company ASML, has announced export limitations on “advanced” chip manufacturing equipment. These countries are attempting to balance their trade relations with China while simultaneously implementing certain export restrictions. Tensions between China and Japan have been heightened due to Japan’s military buildup, and Japan has urged China to release a Japanese national who was detained in Beijing.
