US expresses concern over Beijing’s restrictions on Micron Technology

In the midst of diplomatic tensions between the two countries, the US authorities have expressed “concern” about restrictions imposed by Beijing on US companies, including the giant “Micron Technology”, according to what Minister of Commerce Gina Raimondo told her Chinese counterpart, Wang Wentao, during his meeting in Washington on Thursday.

The US Department of Commerce said in a statement that the two ministers “had candid and substantive discussions on issues related to the trade relationship between the United States and China, including the general climate for trade and investment and areas of potential cooperation between the two countries.”

She added that Raimondo “also expressed concern about the series of recent measures taken by China against US companies operating in this country,” without further details.

On Sunday, Beijing imposed restrictions on the US semiconductor giant Micron Technology, justifying its decision that the company’s chips “pose potential network security risks” and could threaten “China’s national security.”

Beijing’s restrictions on US chip maker Micron represent a major step in its response to pressure from Washington, and could open the door to further measures in the geopolitical confrontation, analysts say.

On Monday, Washington expressed, through a spokesperson for the US State Department, its “very great concerns” about these restrictions.

The semiconductor sector is highly strategic and has been the subject of tensions between the two countries, as the United States imposed restrictions on sales of high-tech electronic chips to China.

Wang’s visit to Washington is a rare step for a Chinese official of this high level, since tensions between the two countries escalated in the wake of the United States shooting down a Chinese balloon over its territory.

While Washington said that the balloon was a spy, Beijing denied this, stressing that it was a research balloon that had lost its way.

The US Commerce Department said Thursday that the Wang and Raimondo meeting “is part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and manage the relationship responsibly.”

(AFP)