US Lawmakers Push to Limit China's Access to Chipmaking Tools

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A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has called on the State and Commerce Departments to restrict China's access to advanced chipmaking equipment, warning that gaps in export controls pose a threat to national security. The lawmakers are urging the administration to press allies to implement broad, countrywide controls on key semiconductor manufacturing tools and components that China cannot produce domestically.

Why it matters

The move reflects growing concerns in Washington about China's technological advancements, particularly in the semiconductor industry, which is seen as critical to national security and economic competitiveness. Restricting China's access to the most advanced chipmaking tools could slow the country's progress in developing cutting-edge semiconductors used in artificial intelligence, smartphones, and military hardware.

The details

In a bipartisan letter, the chairs of the House Select Committee on China and the House Foreign Affairs Committee called for countrywide restrictions on the export of chipmaking tools and subcomponents to China. They also asked the administration to brief Congress within a month on its strategy for securing allied cooperation on these export controls. The lawmakers argued that China has been accelerating imports of foreign-made equipment critical to advanced chip production, and they want to see restrictions on servicing existing equipment operating in Chinese chip facilities.

• The letter was sent to the State and Commerce Departments on February 11, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The U.S. administration has been asked to provide a briefing within the next month outlining its strategy for securing allied cooperation on broad, countrywide controls targeting critical semiconductor manufacturing equipment and components.