China Condemns U.S. Ban on Huawei Ascend Chips/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ China condemned a new U.S. rule banning the use of Huawei’s Ascend chips globally, escalating tech tensions amid a fragile trade truce. The U.S. argues the chips violate export controls, while China says the ban undermines cooperation. Beijing, however, proceeded with lifting key retaliatory tariffs.
China Condemns U.S. Ban on Huawei Ascend Chips: Quick Looks
- U.S. bans Huawei’s Ascend AI chips worldwide, citing potential violations of export controls.
- China’s Commerce Ministry denounced the move, urging the U.S. to reverse “erroneous practices.”
- The chips are believed to contain U.S. tech, triggering enforcement under BIS export rules.
- Huawei’s Ascend is central to China’s AI goals, posing potential competition to Nvidia.
- Despite tensions, Beijing lifted its rare earth export ban, honoring a truce deal made in Geneva.
- U.S. maintains tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, invoking national security provisions under Section 232.
- China calls for removal of Trump-era tariffs, saying they violate fair trade principles.
- A 30% tariff still applies to Chinese goods, combining legacy and newly imposed levies.
- The U.S. tariffs include measures aimed at curbing fentanyl, adding diplomatic strain.
- China has countered with a 10% tariff on U.S. goods, valid during a 90-day negotiating period.
China Condemns U.S. Ban on Huawei Ascend Chips
Deep Look
China has strongly criticized a newly issued U.S. rule that prohibits the use of Huawei Technologies’ Ascend advanced computing chips anywhere in the world, accusing Washington of undermining the spirit of recent trade negotiations. The rule, released by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), asserts that Huawei’s chips were likely developed or manufactured using U.S. technology in violation of existing export control laws.
In a public statement on its website, BIS warned companies that “the use of such PRC advanced computing ICs risks violating U.S. export controls and may subject companies to enforcement action.” The agency made clear that its move was driven by national security concerns and enforcement of U.S. tech trade policy.
Beijing responded sharply. “This is not conducive to long-term, mutually beneficial, and sustainable cooperation and development between the two countries,” said Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian. He called on the U.S. to “immediately correct its erroneous practices.”
Huawei’s Ascend chips are considered a cornerstone of China’s ambition to become a leader in artificial intelligence and advanced semiconductor technologies. The chips are already being used in China’s DeepSeek AI program, seen by analysts as a potential rival to U.S.-based Nvidia in the global AI hardware market. Restricting their international use signals Washington’s broader efforts to slow China’s technological rise.
Tensions between the world’s two largest economies had appeared to ease after a temporary trade truce was reached in Geneva last weekend. As part of that agreement, China pledged to lift certain retaliatory trade measures, including a ban on rare earth mineral exports to the United States—materials crucial to high-tech and defense industries.
Still, frictions persist. The latest Huawei-related restriction comes as the Trump administration continues to press its hardline trade strategy, reviving several tariffs and measures from Trump’s first term. Many of these were maintained during the Biden presidency and have now been reinforced in Trump’s second term.
One key sticking point is the continued application of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to impose tariffs based on national security concerns. In February, President Trump reinstated 25% tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, citing national security. Speaking at a ministry briefing, He Yongqian urged the U.S. to rescind these measures “as soon as possible.”
Layered on top of those are new tariffs—bringing the total tax on Chinese imports to 30%. This includes a 20% tariff aimed at pressuring Beijing to stem the flow of synthetic opioids like fentanyl into the U.S., and a baseline 10% tariff applied broadly to imports from most countries.
Despite the rising tensions, China is holding to its side of the Geneva truce—at least for now. It has imposed a 10% counter-tariff on U.S. goods during a 90-day negotiation window, signaling a willingness to continue dialogue while preparing for a prolonged trade standoff if talks falter.
The Huawei ban underscores the deepening divide between the two powers over technology policy and export control enforcement. While the trade truce has brought some short-term stability, the larger tech war shows no signs of resolution.
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