US announces further crackdown on firms selling technology to Huawei

China
Image Credit: Geralt / Pixabay (Image credit: Geralt / Pixabay)

In its latest crackdown designed to curb China’s dominance in the tech sector, and amid continued geopolitical tensions, the United States has revoked certain licenses permitting the sale of chips to Shenzhen-based Huawei.

The news, confirmed by the US Department of Commerce (via CNBC), fails to detail the specific licenses that have been revoked.

According to the agency, the decision aligns with the US’s ongoing assessment of how best to safeguard its national security interests amid a dynamic digital threat landscape.

US revokes certain China licenses

This isn’t the US’s first anti-Huawei campaign – in 2019, the US added Huawei to an “entity list” over its concerns that the Chinese company had ties to the country’s military.

Despite recent stringent trade regulations, Huawei has shown tremendous resilience, particularly in its consumer business. The recent launch of the Mate 60 Pro has been a significant factor in the company’s global success – the smartphone uses chips produced by the country’s top chipmaker, SMIC, which addresses and bypasses restrictions imposed by the US and other governments.

Though Huawei doesn’t make it into the list of top five smartphone brands for global shipments, the company saw a colossal 70% year-on-year increase in shipments in mainland China, when in Q1 2024, it accounted for 17% of the entire market.

OPPO, HONOR, vivo and Apple accounted for between 15-16% each, highlighting the level of digital diversity in China.

More broadly, the US government’s actions come amidst escalating tensions between the two nations – President Biden recently signed legislation that could potentially ban TikTok in the US unless it splits from its Chinese parent company.

In recent years, the intertwined nature of economic and geopolitical interests has become increasingly apparent, but the slow development of such restrictions has given both sides time to adapt accordingly, rendering many of the bans ineffective at best.

More from TechRadar Pro

Craig Hale

With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!

Read more
Flag of the People's Republic of China overlaid with a technological network of wires and circuits.
US set to allow tech giants to control access to AI chips
Flag of the People's Republic of China overlaid with a technological network of wires and circuits.
US government removes Chinese chip giant AMEC from major blacklist
Microchip on a motherboard with Flag of China and USA. Concept for the battle of global microchips production.
US government to restrict investments in China's high-tech sectors to safeguard national security
Microchip on a motherboard with Flag of China and USA. Concept for the battle of global microchips production.
Google, Nvidia and Intel could all see new China antitrust cases
Microchip on a motherboard with Flag of China and USA. Concept for the battle of global microchips production.
Nvidia says latest US restrictions on China AI chips will ‘stifle competition’
Smart #3
Chinese cars are close to a US ban – and that could make EVs a lot more expensive
Latest in Pro
An image of network security icons for a network encircling a digital blue earth.
Why effective cybersecurity is a team effort
Data leak
Hacked Tata Technologies data leaked by ransomware gang
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan
Intel reveals its new CEO
An AI face in profile against a digital background.
How to harmonize the complexities of global AI regulation
Data center racks with cables and servers
Data centers are being pushed to their limits, but digital twins could help
Person using a laptop.
The hidden costs of your on-premise software
Latest in News
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be in line for a Galaxy S25 Ultra-level camera upgrade
Data leak
Hacked Tata Technologies data leaked by ransomware gang
A close up of Billy Bob Thornton's Tommy Norris in Paramount Plus' Landman TV series
The Taylor Sheridan supremacy lives on at Paramount+ as Landman gets renewed for season 2
Ryzen 9000 promotional material
AMD's most powerful processor ever actually runs better on Windows 10 than Windows 11
The logo and key art for Inzoi.
The newly revealed Inzoi system requirements are enough to make me go back to The Sims 4
A white Samsung logo on a black sign, people with suitcases walking past
Samsung tipped to unveil first-ever bone-conduction headphones at Galaxy Z Fold 7 event