US lawmakers amend new restrictions on Chinese chipmakers — MATCH Act's blanket restrictions removed from select chipmaking tools

US lawmakers have revised the MATCH Act to narrow its restrictions, removing a provision that banned sales of cryogenic etching tools to chipmakers in countries like China. The updated bill eliminates a nationwide restriction on cryogenic etch equipment, easing concerns in the semiconductor equipment industry. While the original draft included cryogenic etching equipment as a separate type needing export controls, existing US export rules already covered these tools since 2021. The latest version of the bill maintains restrictions on sales of advanced wafer fabrication equipment to certain Chinese semiconductor manufacturers but no longer presumes denial of licenses for servicing equipment at covered facilities.