“According to sources, Samsung and SK Hynix have been approved by the US to export chip-making equipment to China in 2026.” Reuters reported on the 30th that the US temporarily loosened restrictions on South Korean companies after removing license exemptions for some technology companies to export US chip manufacturing equipment earlier this year. The report said that Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC previously benefited from the US exemption policy for comprehensive chip-related export restrictions to China, the “verified end user” system. Companies included in the “VEU” list can import specified controlled items from the US without having to apply for a separate export license. However, in August of this year, the US Department of Commerce announced the lifting of the exemption for Samsung and SK Hynix to use US equipment at their Chinese factories, and the relevant measures officially came into effect in December. This means that future shipments of US chip-making equipment to these companies' factories in China will require an export license from the US.

“According to sources, Samsung and SK Hynix have been approved by the US to export chip-making equipment to China in 2026.” Reuters reported on the 30th that the US temporarily loosened restrictions on South Korean companies after removing license exemptions for some technology companies to export US chip manufacturing equipment earlier this year. The report said that Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC previously benefited from the US exemption policy for comprehensive chip-related export restrictions to China, the “verified end user” system. Companies included in the “VEU” list can import specified controlled items from the US without having to apply for a separate export license. However, in August of this year, the US Department of Commerce announced the lifting of the exemption for Samsung and SK Hynix to use US equipment at their Chinese factories, and the relevant measures officially came into effect in December. This means that future shipments of US chip-making equipment to these companies' factories in China will require an export license from the US.