Taiwan has added Chinese tech giants Huawei Technologies and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) to its export control list, as tensions over trade and technology continue to rise between China, the US, and the island. The move means Taiwanese firms must now seek special permits before exporting goods to either company. Taiwan’s commerce ministry confirmed the updated list on Sunday, placing the two sanctioned Chinese chipmakers alongside groups such as the Taliban and al-Qaeda, as well as other entities from Iran and China. The list, officially titled the “strategic high-tech commodities” export control list, is part of Taiwan’s regulatory framework designed to protect sensitive technologies from falling into the hands of potentially hostile actors, AP reported. Neither Huawei nor SMIC have publicly responded to the latest restrictions. Both firms are already under US sanctions and have been central to Beijing’s push for technological self-sufficiency. Despite curbs, they have forged ahead with the production of China’s most advanced domestic AI chips, aiming to rival US-based Nvidia and support Chinese tech firms amid an intensifying global chip war. Taiwan’s decision further highlights its delicate position in the global tech supply chain. The island is home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker and a critical supplier for Nvidia. Last November, US ordered TSMC to stop shipping certain advanced chips to Chinese clients as part of broader efforts to slow China’s access to leading-edge semiconductors.US is Taiwan’s biggest unofficial ally and arms seller. Though the island country is self-ruled, China claims Taiwan to be its own territory, which it will annex by force, if needed.
