The U.S. Commerce Department said in a Federal Register filing that it will revoke longstanding waivers allowing Intel, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to import American semiconductor-manufacturing equipment for use at their Chinese plants. The companies have 120 days to secure individual export licences or face disruption to their operations in Dalian, Wuxi and Xi’an. The move is expected to curb sales for U.S. toolmakers such as KLA, Lam Research and Applied Materials while giving domestic Chinese equipment suppliers an opening. In a separate notice, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative extended through 29 November 2025 a package of Section 301 tariff exclusions covering 178 Chinese-origin items, including chemical inputs, electronic parts, medical supplies and solar-equipment components. The exemptions, which carry duty rates of 7.5 % to 25 % when in force, had been due to expire on 31 August and were prolonged to allow further public comment and agency review. The latest actions come days after the Commerce Department voided an agreement that would have channelled up to $7.4 billion in CHIPS Act research funds to the National Center for the Advancement of Semiconductor Technology, calling the Biden-era vehicle a legally invalid ‘slush fund.’ Oversight of the National Semiconductor Technology Center will instead shift to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, underscoring the Trump administration’s broader effort to tighten control over chip-related funding and technology flows to China.