SEOUL / WASHINGTON, Dec 30 — The U.S. government has issued annual licences allowing Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to export semiconductor manufacturing equipment to their facilities in China for 2026, two people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
The approvals come as Washington phases out broader export waivers that had previously let foreign chipmakers receive certain U.S.-controlled tools without individual permissions. Under the new regime, shipments of U.S.-origin chipmaking tools into China will require explicit annual export licences rather than automatic exemptions, according to sources.
Samsung and SK Hynix did not immediately comment on the licences, and the U.S. Department of Commerce had no immediate response outside normal business hours.
SHIFTING EXPORT CONTROL RULES
Earlier this year, the U.S. administration ended the so-called validated end-user status, which had enabled some firms — including Samsung, SK Hynix and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) — to import U.S.-controlled chipmaking tools into China without repeated regulatory review. That status is set to lapse on Dec. 31, 2025, after which companies must seek case-by-case approvals.
Under the new annual licence system, Samsung and SK Hynix will be able to continue bringing in essential equipment in 2026, providing temporary regulatory certainty as they operate key memory chip plants in the world’s second-largest economy.
BALANCING TRADE AND SECURITY
The decision reflects ongoing tensions in U.S. technology export policy, where officials seek to curb China’s access to advanced manufacturing gear while avoiding abrupt disruptions to global semiconductor supply chains.
China remains a major production base for both South Korean firms, especially for memory chips used in data centres and other high-growth applications. By issuing licences under tighter conditions, Washington aims to maintain leverage over sensitive technology flows without completely severing industrial ties.
The annual approval process also gives U.S. authorities the flexibility to review and adjust controls periodically, aligning export policy with broader national security and economic priorities.
