After sanctioned Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei unveiled a laptop this week powered by an Intel artificial intelligence chip, Republican US lawmakers on Friday ( Apr 12 ) criticised the Biden administration.
The United States placed Huawei on a business limitations record in 2019 for violating Iran sanctions, portion of a broader effort to walk Beijing’s technological developments.
Location on the list requires that the company’s providers get a specific, challenging license before shipping to it.
One such licensing, issued by the Trump presidency, has allowed Intel to deliver core processors to Huawei for use in devices since 2020.
Some resisted the Biden administration’s request to rescind that license, but some resisted the fact that it would end later this year and not become renewed.
They were shocked and enraged by Huawei’s announcement on Thursday of its first AI-enabled computer, the MateBook X Pro, which was powered by Intel’s fresh Core Ultra 9 computer, because it suggested that the Commerce Department had approved shipping of the new device to Huawei.
Republican Congressman Michael Gallagher, who chairs the House of Representatives select commission on China, said in a speech to Reuters that “one of the greatest treasures in Washington, DC is why the Department of Commerce continues to permit US systems to be shipped to Huawei.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the cards were shipped using a pre-existing certificate. According to the source and another person, they are not subject to new broad-cased restrictions on shipments of AI chips to China.
Intel and the Commerce Department made no comment. Huawei did not respond to e-mails for post right away.
Fast five years after Huawei was included on a business limitations list, the Biden administration is under increasing pressure to do more to stop its rise.
In August, it shocked the world with a new telephone powered by a cutting-edge device from sanctioned Taiwanese chipmaker SMIC, becoming a symbol of China’s industrial renaissance despite Washington’s ongoing work to stifle its capacity to produce innovative electronics.
At a Senate sub- committee hearing this week, Kevin Kurland, an export enforcement official, said Washington’s restrictions on Huawei have had a” significant impact” on its access to US technology.
He added that the goal should not be to stop Huawei from expanding, but rather to prevent it from using US technology for “malign activities.”
However, the remarks did little to lessen Republican China hawks ‘ dismay after learning about Huawei’s new laptop.
Republican congressman Michael McCaul said in a statement to Reuters,” These approvals must stop.” I was informed two years ago that Huawei’s licenses would cease. Today, it does n’t seem as though the policy has changed”.