U.S. restricts tech exports to China’s biggest semiconductor manufacturer in escalation of trade tensions

The Trump administration has issued new restrictions on U.S. technology exports to China’s biggest semiconductor manufacturer, warning that the exports could benefit the Chinese military.

The Commerce Department on Friday notified U.S. companies that they will now need a license to export certain technology to Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., or SMIC, according to a copy of the agency’s letter reviewed by The Washington Post.