Washington will take the “strongest possible” action to safeguard national security.
That’s the word from Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo as Beijing announces a technological milestone.
Chinese tech giant Huawei released a new smartphone in August. The model claims to use seven-nanometer technology. Chips made with it are among the world’s most advanced and have broad applications for powering artificial intelligence and military technology.
U.S. sanctions sought to cut off Beijing’s access to high-end American chips in 2019. Other major chip players like Japan and the Netherlands have taken similar measures.
Yet the new phone appears to signal a message: China claims to have defeated those export controls. And has its own capacity to produce the top quality chips.
Raimondo called the development “deeply concerning” in a Monday interview. Adding her department “vigorously” investigates anything it sees as concerning.
She didn’t confirm a formal probe into Huawei or Chinese chip maker SMIC. The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security—under the commerce department—previously said it was investigating China’s claim to having the technology.
Worth noting, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee recently took aim at the Bureau.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) accused it of being too lenient in approving sensitive technology exports to Chinese companies and of being too soft on alleged sanctions violators.