China’s new rare-earth curbs target chipmaking industry in retaliation to US restrictions — rare earth curbs reach back to older 14nm process tech and 256-layer memory

China has expanded its rare-earth export controls to target the semiconductor supply chain, focusing on advanced chip development and manufacture. The new regulations require government licenses for exports linked to logic at 14 nanometers or below and memory with 256 layers or more. This move aims to safeguard national security and prevent exports from enhancing military potential. The controls could impact global HDD production and companies like Seagate and Western Digital that rely on Chinese-origin magnets. This escalation in export enforcement reflects a broader trend of tightening controls on tech components by both the US and China to prevent military technology transfer.