U.S. closes loophole in chip export restrictions to China (heise.de)

• BIS guidance on May 31 closes loophole for chip exports to Chinese firms abroad.
• Affected are AI semiconductors; license required for shipments to companies headquartered in China or Macao.
• Loosening a year ago had relaxed export controls; estimates of hundreds of thousands of chips reaching China since then.

"The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security issued a guidance on May 31, 2026, clarifying that advanced semiconductors cannot be sold to companies headquartered in China or Macao, even if the specific subsidiary is located outside China. This closes a loophole that emerged after export controls were loosened a year ago. Industry experts estimate hundreds of thousands of AI chips may have reached China since then. The clarification requires an export license for such shipments but does not require dismantling existing installations."