The U.S. government has moved to tighten restrictions on foreign chipmakers in China, hitting Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix with a new setback.

Commerce Department revokes key waivers

The Commerce Department said on Friday it will revoke the waivers granted to Samsung and SK Hynix. These waivers had let the companies use U.S.-made chipmaking gear in their Chinese plants.
Until now, both firms operated under special approvals that spared them from seeking a license for every shipment.

What the change means for Samsung and SK Hynix

Losing the waiver complicates production in the world’s largest semiconductor market. Without the exemption, both companies must apply for licenses whenever they need to import U.S. tools and technology into China.

That could delay equipment deliveries, raise costs, and potentially slow manufacturing lines that supply memory chips for global markets.

Part of wider U.S.–China tech tensions

The move reflects Washington’s broader strategy of tightening controls on advanced chip technology to China. U.S. officials have argued that unfettered access risks boosting China’s military and AI ambitions.

Samsung and SK Hynix, two of the biggest memory producers, are running into new obstacles in China. They must now juggle local business interests with strict U.S. compliance rules.

Industries are bracing for ripple effects

Analysts warn that revoking these waivers could disrupt the global chip supply chain. The decision adds to mounting pressure on non-U.S. companies caught between Washington’s export controls and China’s role as a critical market for semiconductors.

Samsung and SK Hynix now face less flexibility in running their Chinese operations. The setback highlights how geopolitical tensions continue to reshape the chip industry.