U.S. Department of Commerce Investigates TSMC Over Huawei Sanctions Violations

The U.S. Department of Commerce has launched an investigation into Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) over suspected violations of sanctions related to supplying chips to Huawei. The probe began after revelations that TSMC might have indirectly supplied chips to the Chinese tech giant, which has been under U.S. sanctions since 2020.

Sources indicate that TSMC may have produced chips for Huawei through intermediary companies, circumventing restrictions. Notably, Huawei’s latest AI chip, the Ascend 910B, was found to be manufactured by TSMC, raising concerns among U.S. regulators.

If the allegations are confirmed, TSMC could face serious consequences, including fines and additional restrictions on access to U.S. technologies. This investigation highlights the escalating tech tensions between the U.S. and China and could significantly impact the global semiconductor supply chain.