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Hong Kong CNN —Europe’s biggest producer of advanced chipmaking technology has joined the United States in its escalating standoff with China. Japan has also been involved in three-way discussions with the Netherlands and the United States, a source familiar with the talks told CNN. China said Thursday it “firmly opposes” the Netherlands’ upcoming curbs, which come just months after the United States restricted sales of some semiconductor machinery to Beijing. He accused Western countries led by the United States of trying to “contain” and “suppress” China. European battlegroundThe announcement of the Netherlands’ export restrictions, the details of which are expected to be confirmed before the summer, isn’t the first time the US-China tech rivalry spilled over into Europe.

☆ Tesla's plan to slash silicon carbide use sends some chipmakers' shares down
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Lora Kolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Shares in some chipmakers dipped on Thursday after electric vehicle maker Tesla said it plans to greatly reduce the use of silicon carbide transistors in its next-generation vehicle powertrains. Campbell revealed that, "In our next powertrain, the silicon carbide transistors that I mentioned, that are key component[s] but expensive, we figured out a way to use 75% less without compromising the performance or the efficiency of the car." Chips made with silicon carbide transistors are widely used in electric vehicles. They added the possibility that "cheaper [silicon carbide chips] could drive up EV adoption globally so what vendors lose on content could be partially offset by greater EV volumes." New Street does not expect a lower-priced, next generation Tesla vehicle to "ramp in volumes before 2025 or 2026."

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Situation in besieged Bakhmut worsens; Belarus says it can produce 'any type of weapon' with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday that Russia and Belarus are capable of producing "any type of weapon" and can export such products to 57 countries around the world, circumventing sanctions on weapons production. "Despite unprecedented sanctions pressure, we produce sufficient quantities of weapons and military equipment to meet the needs of the Belarusian army. are concerned, kudos to those who preserved the legacy of the Soviet Union, and therefore, together with Russia, we are capable of manufacturing any type of weapon," Lukashenko added. The U.S. has warned Beijing against giving weapons to Russia as Moscow looks for other sources of military hardware. Belarus has sought to stay out of actively participating in the war while assisting Russia in terms where it can, having allowed Russia to launch its initial invasion of northern Ukraine from Belarusian territory.

☆ Russia has been able to keep its most effective drone flying over Ukraine thanks to Western-made parts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Ukraine and Russia have employed an array of drones since Moscow attacked in February 2022. Despite sanctions imposed by the US and its allies, Russia has been able to keep its most effective drone flying over Ukraine thanks to Western-made parts. The Orlan-10's specifications and characteristics in a graphic published by the Royal United Services Institute in December 2022. Russian intelligence services are likely involved in sourcing this technology through contacts and front companies around the world. Western-made components found in the Orlan-10, according to the Royal United Services Institute.

☆ Is the iPhone's 'Made in India' era beginning as Apple breaks with China?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Diksha Madhok | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said Apple was already making between 5% and 7% of its products in India. His comments come at a time when Foxconn (HNHPF), a top Apple supplier, is looking to expand its operations in India after suffering severe supply disruptions in China. For years, Apple had relied on a vast manufacturing network in China to mass produce iPhones, iPads and other popular products. China headaches mountBut the world’s most valuable company posted shockingly weak earnings this month, partly because of its recent problems in China. According to Counterpoint’s Pathak, India accounts for 16% of the global smartphone production, while China constitutes 70%.

☆ Wolfspeed to announce new electric vehicle chip plant in Germany - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN/FRANKFURT, Feb 1 (Reuters) - German chip supplier ZF and American chipmaker Wolfspeed Inc (WOLF.N) are expected to announce on Wednesday plans to build an electric vehicle (EV) chip plant in the Saarland region, according to three sources close to the matter. The chancellery said the event was related to an industrial policy project in the field of microelectronics but did not provide further details. The project will cost over 2 billion euros ($2.18 billion) and ZF will hold a minority stake, with production to begin in four years, according to German business paper Handelsblatt which previously reported on the plans, citing unidentified sources. A spokesperson for ZF declined to comment, and Wolfspeed was not immediately available for comment. ($1 = 0.9195 euros)Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Victoria Waldersee and Ilona WissenbachOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Europe unveils $270 billion response to US green subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Stung by the Biden administration’s huge green subsidy program, the European Union unveiled plans for its own “Green Deal” Wednesday to cut red tape and deliver tax breaks. The proposals, which will be debated by EU leaders next week, would make €250 billion ($272 billion) available from existing EU funds for the greening of industry, including offering tax breaks to businesses investing in net-zero technologies. EU leaders are worried that tax breaks for American companies, which amount to $270 billion, will disadvantage European firms and lure them to the United States. In a document detailing its new green industry plan, the European Commission also fingered China, saying it has provided green subsidies at a level twice as high as those in the European Union, relative to GDP. “Europe and its partners must do more to combat the effect of such unfair subsidies and prolonged market distortion,” it added.

☆ Taiwan chipmaker UMC imposes strict cost controls over weak demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"To manage this period of weakness, the company is implementing strict cost control measures and deferring certain capital expenditures where possible." The company reported a 14.8% year-on-year rise in fourth-quarter revenue to T$67.84 billion ($2.24 billion), although that was 10% down compared to the previous quarter with wafer shipments falling 14.8% quarter on quarter. Shares in UMC closed 1.1% down on Monday, underperforming a 0.7% rise in the broader market (.TWII). They have gained 10.3% so far this year, giving the company a market value of $18.7 billion. ($1 = 30.3030 Taiwan dollars)Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Edmund BlairOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Starting with the Trump administration, the United States has been tightening the noose around China's high-tech ambitions. But why worry about older chip technology? “28 nanometer” refers to a chip technology commercially used since 2011. But it is a giant in older technology, including chips that regulate power flows in electronics. The importance of older chip technology hit the industry in the face in 2021 as a shortage of those chips prevented manufacturing of millions of cars and consumer electronics.

☆ Nexperia and Elmos cases show how the US-China chip war is spilling over to Europe
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Last week, the new owner of Britain’s biggest chipmaker was ordered to unwind its takeover, just days after another chip factory sale was blocked in Germany. “These decisions mark a shift towards tougher stances regarding Chinese investment in critical industries in Europe,” said Xiaomeng Lu, director of geo‑technology at Eurasia Group. A worker in a clean room for silicon semiconductor wafer manufacturing at the Newport Wafer Fab, owned by Nexperia, in Newport, Wales on Aug. 18. A company sign of Elmos Semiconductor, seen on Nov. 9 in the German city of Dortmund. Both Britain and Germany have recently added rules that expand government oversight over such decisions, making outcomes harder to predict.

☆ U.S. imposes sanctions on military procurement network aiding Russia
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. Treasury also designated family members of Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, as well as individuals that it said worked as financial facilitators in Suleiman's network. The U.S. Treasury blacklisted Milandr, a Russian microelectronics company that Washington says is part of Moscow's military research and development structure. The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned major military industrial firms in Russia and the Commerce Department has cut off exports of American-made components and U.S. technologies that have been used in some of Russia's military hardware. Russia has managed to procure drones from Iran that have been used to attack cities and power infrastructure in Ukraine. Iranian military entities and industries are already under heavy U.S. sanctions over Tehran's nuclear development program.

London/Berlin CNN Business —The German government has blocked the sale of one of its semiconductor factories to a Chinese-owned tech company because of security concerns. Silex announced in December that it had signed an agreement with Elmos to buy the factory for €85 million ($85.4 million). Addressing the blocked chip deal, he stressed that “Germany is and will remain an open investment location” but that it was not “naive”. China’s chips under threatThe visit came just a month after the United States introduced stringent controls on chip exports to China, a move designed to protect its national security and bolster its domestic semiconductor industry. In early October, the Biden administration banned Chinese firms from buying advanced chips and chip-making equipment without a license.

☆ German economy ministry favours blocking Chinese takeover of Elmos' chip production - sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Germany's economy ministry has recommended to the cabinet that the government block the Chinese takeover of Elmos' (ELGG.DE) chip factory, saying it would pose a threat to national security, ministry sources said on Tuesday. Milder measures, such as an injunction, are not suitable for addressing the identified dangers, added the sources. Elmos said on Monday that the German government would likely block the sale to competitor Silex, a Swedish company that is a subsidiary of Chinese group Sai Microelectronics (300456.SZ). The sources said the economy ministry and the government are currently working on a China strategy focused on reducing one-sided dependencies and encouraging diversification, as well as protecting infrastructure and preventing technology leakage. Reporting by Markus Wacket, Writing by Miranda Murray Editing by Paul CarrelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Germany likely to block Chinese takeover of Elmos' chip production
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

FRANKFURT, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The German government will likely block the Chinese takeover of Elmos' (ELGG.DE) chip factory, the Dortmund-based company said on Monday. The economics ministry had been examining the sale to competitor Silex, a Swedish company that is a subsidiary of Chinese group Sai Microelectronics (300456.SZ). The deal "will most likely be prohibited" in a "new development", Elmos said on Monday. Until Monday, the ministry "had indicated to the parties that the transaction most likely will be approved". Reporting by Tom Sims; Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ First Russia, now China? Europe doesn’t appear ready to ‘decouple’ from Beijing just yet
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Marie Brockling | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Scholz was the first leader of a Group of 7 nations to visit China since the start of the pandemic, which was first detected there in 2019. China’s relations with Europe have deteriorated amid tensions over Taiwan, human rights issues and Beijing’s tacit support for Russia in its war on Ukraine. China has welcomed Scholz’s visit, saying it would “contribute to world peace, stability and growth.” But it received considerable pushback in Europe. Fears over Chinese interferenceScholz’s one-day visit to Beijing comes amid heightened fears in Europe over Chinese interference abroad. Wang suggested Europe could have the “best of both worlds” by playing a mediating role between Beijing and Washington.

☆ Germany plans to approve Chinese takeover of Elmos' chip production - Handelsblatt
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The German government plans to approve a Chinese takeover of the chip production of Dortmund-based company Elmos, business daily Handelsblatt reported on Thursday, citing government sources. The economy ministry is examining the sale of Elmos' chip factory to competitor Silex, a Swedish company that is a subsidiary of Chinese group Sai Microelectronics, Handelsblatt reported, adding approval is expected in the coming weeks. The expected decision would mean the government would likely defy advice from the domestic intelligence agency, Handelsblatt added. The economy ministry had no immediate comment when contacted by Reuters. ($1 = 0.9967 euros)Reporting by Christian Kraemer and Matthias Inverardi Writing by Paul Carrel, editing by Rachel MoreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Chipmaker UMC cuts capex in readiness for prolonged downturn
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Sarah Wu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The company has revised 2022 capital expenditure down to $3 billion, compared with a previous plan for $3.6 billion, said finance chief Chitung Liu. However, expansion in Singapore and Tainan in southern Taiwan are progressing as planned to meet long-term supply commitments, Wang said. However, UMC will continue to monitor developments and "take risk-management measures as necessary", he added. Shares in UMC closed 3.4% down on Wednesday and have fallen about 41% this year. ($1 = 32.1210 Taiwan dollars)Reporting by Sarah Wu Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard Editing by David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - The United States on Friday warned it can impose sanctions on people, countries and companies that provide ammunition to Russia or support its military-industrial complex, as Washington seeks to increase pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Muir was also set to warn that Russian intelligence services are tasked with illicitly acquiring Western technology and parts barred from being exported to Russia under U.S. measures. The Commerce Department has previously warned that semiconductors produced by Western companies have turned up in Russian military drones and other uses. Asked how much more Western allies could do to increase pressure on Russia, one European finance official said, "We can extend the list of people who are under sanctions. "But I think clearly the sanctions will show their impact in terms of industrial value chains in Russia," the European official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

☆ Chinese chip stocks tumble after U.S. calls for new curbs on high-end tech
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesBEIJING — Chinese chip stocks fell Monday after the U.S. announced new export controls aimed at limiting Beijing's ability to produce advanced military systems. The rules, effective this month, expand on prior U.S. attempts to crimp Chinese companies' access to key tech. Chinese chips stocks tumbleChina's largest chipmaker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, traded 3% lower Monday afternoon in Hong Kong, amid a broader market sell-off. "It will not only harm Chinese companies' legitimate rights and interests, but also hurt the interests of U.S. The U.S. government previously put Chinese companies Huawei and SMIC on a blacklist that requires suppliers to obtain a license before selling to them.

☆ Taiwan signals its chip firms will follow new U.S. rules on China
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan, a major chip producer, is home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) (2330.TW), the world's largest contract chipmaker and a major supplier to companies including Apple Inc (AAPL.O). "In addition to complying with domestic laws and regulations, it will also cooperate with the needs of international customers who place orders and the norms of customers in their countries." Taiwan has its own concerns about China, especially efforts by Chinese companies to poach chip talent and technical know-how. The government tightly restricts Taiwanese chip investment in China, the island's largest trading partner. She will visit U.S. tech firms that are major customers of Taiwanese semiconductor companies.

☆ China says U.S. should correct abuse of security review
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterBEIJING, Sept 22 (Reuters) - China's commerce ministry said on Thursday the United States should correct the abuse of a security review, after U.S. President Joe Biden directed a foreign investment panel to screen deals for data and cyber risks. Biden last week directed the committee that reviews foreign investment for national security risks to sharpen its focus on threats to sensitive data, cyber security and areas such as microelectronics and artificial intelligence. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ UTM se declară mândră să aducă în aule spiritul Mixbook și cultura Silicon Valley
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-14 | by ( Onixmedia Srl | ) diez.md time to read: +1 min

Vinerea trecută, rectorul Universității Tehnice a Moldovei, prof. Viorel BOSTAN, însoțit de vicerectorul pentru informatizare, relația cu mediul socio-economic, imagine și comunicare Dinu ȚURCANU și directorul Centrului Universitar de Informare și Ghidare în Carieră Radu MELNIC, au vizitat renumita companie Mixbook Moldova. Punctele de interes comun fiind găsite, părțile au semnat un acord de colaborare, declarându-se mândre să contribuie împreună la pregătirea specialiștilor IT, inclusiv prin organizarea unor evenimente de amploare în domeniile IT & Microelectronics. Acest material a fost scris și redactat de echipa UTM. Informațiile prezentate în acest material nu reflectă nici într-un mod opiniile echipei #diez.

Persons: ., Viorel BOSTAN, Dinu ȚURCANU, George TEODORESCU Organizations: Universității Tehnice, Moldovei, Silicon Valley, UTM, IT Locations: Moldova, Silicon

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