Export controls
China slows exports of germanium and quartz materials to Taiwan, Nikkei reports
Optical and chip-equipment suppliers report prolonged customs checks with no stated reason, forcing cancelled orders and longer production lead times.
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The short version
- China is restricting or delaying exports to Taiwan of germanium- and quartz-based materials and some magnets, Nikkei Asia reported on August 20.
- Those materials are used in lenses critical to aerospace, defence and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
- Several Taiwanese optical manufacturers and chip equipment suppliers said Chinese shipments were held in prolonged customs checks without a stated reason, resulting in cancelled orders and extended lead times.
Optical and chip-equipment suppliers report prolonged customs checks with no stated reason, forcing cancelled orders and longer production lead times.