China’s semiconductor industry is showing signs of flourishing even in the face of efforts by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden to counter its growth, raising alarm bells in Washington.
Chinese orders for chip-manufacturing equipment from overseas suppliers rose 58% in 2021, making it the biggest market for those products for a second year running, according to data provided by industry body Semi.
While those figures appeared in April, the flood of machinery headed to China is now drawing more attention — especially as a legislative push to bolster the U.S. chip industry with investments and incentives falters. The U.S. Commerce Department, meanwhile, appears unwilling to crack down harder on Beijing, irking critics.