US removes Chinese chipmakers from restricted list
The U.S. government has removed Chinese memory chipmakers CXMT and YMTC from its list of restricted technology firms. This move could signal a recalibration of U.S. export control policy toward China. The decision has potential implications for global semiconductor supply chains and the ability of the firms to participate in international standards bodies.
- The removal of the chipmakers occurred in a revised version of the Pentagon's "Section 1260H" list, which identifies companies with alleged ties to China's military. However, this updated list was publicly posted on the U.S. Federal Register on February 13, 2026, and then withdrawn within an hour without official explanation, creating uncertainty about the companies' official status. - Before this event, Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp. (YMTC) was reportedly first added to the Section 1260H list in 2024, followed by ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) in early 2025. - Inclusion on the 1260H list does not trigger immediate sanctions but will prohibit the U.S. Department of Defense from entering into or renewing contracts with listed entities, a rule set to take effect on June 30, 2026. This measure is primarily seen as a reputational risk and a warning to U.S. businesses. - Prior to its inclusion on the 1260H list, YMTC was added to the U.S. Commerce Department's "Unverified List" in October 2022 because the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) could not conduct end-use checks. - Following its placement on the Unverified List, YMTC was reportedly added to the more restrictive "Entity List" in December 2022. This listing requires U.S. exporters to obtain a license to sell to the company, with a general presumption of denial. - The withdrawal of the updated 1260H list, which also added high-profile companies like Alibaba and Baidu, occurred ahead of a potential April 2026 summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, leading to speculation about diplomatic motives. - While the removal from the Pentagon's list would ease some restrictions, YMTC's presence on the Commerce Department's Entity List continues to pose a significant barrier to its access to U.S. technology and partnerships. - Some analysts suggest the temporary removal from the 1260H list was intended to allow U.S. and allied hardware manufacturers to source Chinese memory components to alleviate global supply shortages and control rising prices.
