Trump blocks China from key semiconductor design software

What just happened? The Trump administration has taken a decisive step in its campaign to restrict China's access to advanced semiconductor technology, instructing leading US companies that produce chip design software to halt sales to Chinese customers. Several people familiar with the matter have told the Financial Times that the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security recently sent letters to major electronic design automation (EDA) firms – including Synopsys, Cadence Design Systems, and Siemens EDA – directing them to stop supplying their technology to the Asian nation. These companies collectively control about 80 percent of China's EDA market, making them a critical part of the global semiconductor supply chain. EDA software, though a relatively small segment of the industry, is essential for designing and simulating new generations of chips, which underpin advancements in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. The move comes as Washing ... Read full article.