US measures such as export curbs and tariffs “constitute a restriction and suppression of the development of China’s high-tech industries” such as advanced computer chips and artificial intelligence. | Photo: Getty Images/Istockphoto
China launched two probes targeting the U.S. semiconductor sector on Saturday (September 13, 2025), ahead of a trade dispute, national security and ownership of the social media platform TikTok, between the two countries in Spain this week.
China’s Ministry of Commerce announced an anti-dumping investigation into certain analog chips imported from the United States. The investigation will focus on some commodity interface IC chips and gate driver IC chips, which are typically made by US companies such as Texas Instruments and Semiconductor.
The ministry separately announced a probe into discrimination in US measures against China’s chip sector.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen is scheduled to meet with Chinese Vice President He Lifeng in Madrid from Sunday to Wednesday, the office said.
US measures such as export curbs and tariffs “constitute a restriction and suppression of the development of China’s high-tech industries” such as advanced computer chips and artificial intelligence, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Commerce said.
The announcements of the probes follow the US adding 23 Chinese companies to an “entity list” of companies that will face restrictions for allegedly acting against US national security and foreign policy interests on Friday. The list includes two Chinese companies accused of purchasing chip equipment for Chinese chipmaker Smic, the largest.
The meetings between Bessenta and He in Madrid will be the latest in a series of talks aimed at reducing trade tensions and postponing the implementation of higher tariffs on each other’s goods.
The US and Chinese counterparts previously held discussions in Geneva in May, London in June and Stockholm in July. The two governments have agreed to a series of 90-day pauses on a series of escalating reciprocal tariffs, halting the full trade war.
Mr. Bessen described the talks in Stockholm during the last round as “very complete.” “We just have to take risks with certain, strategic sectors, whether it’s rare earths, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and we talked about what we could do together to bring the relationship into balance,” Mr. Bessen said at the time.
US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden have imposed curbs on China’s access to advanced semiconductors, including restrictions on sales of chip equipment to the country. While Washington cites national security concerns, China says the curbs are part of a US growth strategy.
Published – September 14, 2025 at 10:51 AM
