US introduces new export curbs on advanced technology, including chip-making tools
The United States has announced new export controls on advanced technology, including quantum computers, in line with restrictions imposed by international partners.
Besides quantum computing items, the curbs will affect equipment for producing advanced semiconductors, additive manufacturing items to produce metal components and gate all-around field-effect transistor (GAAFET) technology, according to a Federal Register posting.
"Today's action ensures our national export controls keep step with rapidly evolving technologies and are more effective when we work in concert with international partners," Alan Estevez, an official at the Bureau of Industry and Security, said in a statement Thursday.
Several countries, including the United Kingdom, have already imposed similar controls, and others are expected to do so as well.
"The most significant controls are the ones on quantum computers and related technology," said Washington trade lawyer Kevin Wolf. "They have novel reporting requirements for new foreign national employees working on quantum computer development in the US."
A Nvidia HGX H100 server arranged at the company's headquarters in Santa Clara, California, US, on Monday, June 5, 2023. Nvidia Corp., suddenly at the core of the world's most important technology, owns 80% of the market for a particular kind of chip called a data-center accelerator, and the current wait time for one of its AI processors is eight months. Photographer: Marlena Sloss/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Wolf also noted that the GAAFET controls will not apply to the design for the broader integrated circuit, only to the production of the GAAFET architecture. GAAFET is a cutting-edge chip architecture that helps improve chip performance and reduces power consumption.
Celia Merzbacher, executive director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium, said the United States was trying to strike a balance with the workforce rules, but that they could impact hiring decisions, even if they are only reporting requirements.
The government acknowledges "the importance of expertise in quantum and how short the supply of talent is, and the need to be open to getting the top talent to work at US firms," Merzbacher said.
But, she said, small companies may decide, "we don't want to have to figure out this reporting. We will only hire US citizens … and then they're limiting themselves and we're not getting the benefit of some talent that could be incredibly useful."
