US Urges Global Firms to Avoid Huawei Chips
▼ Summary
– The Trump administration warned companies globally that using Huawei’s AI chips could lead to criminal penalties for violating US export controls.
– The US Commerce Department clarified that Huawei’s Ascend processors are subject to export controls due to likely US technology involvement.
– The Bureau of Industry and Security emphasized that using Huawei chips anywhere violates existing export controls, though no new rule was issued.
– Three specific Huawei Ascend chips (910B, 910C, 910D) were identified as likely containing or being made with US technology.
– Huawei’s AI chip clusters, which outperform Nvidia’s in some metrics, have raised US concerns over China’s rapid AI hardware advancements.
The US government has intensified warnings to international businesses about potential legal consequences for utilizing Huawei’s artificial intelligence chips, citing violations of American export regulations. This advisory specifically targets Huawei’s Ascend processor line, which authorities claim likely incorporates restricted US technology.
Commerce Department officials clarified that while no new rules have been enacted, existing export controls already prohibit the use of these chips globally. The Bureau of Industry and Security emphasized that even operating systems containing Huawei’s Ascend processors—models 910B, 910C, and 910D—could breach US restrictions. These chips are suspected of being developed with American software or manufactured using equipment derived from US-origin technology.
Legal experts note this move reinforces longstanding policies rather than introducing fresh restrictions. Kevin Wolf, an export control specialist, explained that the guidance serves as an official interpretation: simply deploying Huawei’s advanced computing chips anywhere in the world may constitute a violation.
The warning coincides with growing US apprehension over Huawei’s rapid advancements in AI hardware. The Chinese firm has recently supplied AI chip clusters to domestic clients, boasting performance advantages over Nvidia’s competing products in areas like processing power and memory capacity. Though individual Ascend 910C chips lag behind Nvidia’s top-tier offerings, Huawei’s clustered systems reportedly deliver superior collective performance.
This development underscores escalating tensions in the global tech sector, where semiconductor dominance remains a fiercely contested battleground. Businesses worldwide now face heightened scrutiny when integrating Huawei components into their operations, as US regulators tighten enforcement of export compliance.
(Source: Ars Technica)
