Sun Sep 14 05:21:54 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, written from a neutral perspective:

**China Launches Probes Targeting U.S. Semiconductor Sector Ahead of Trade Talks**

*Taipei, September 14, 2025* – Amidst ongoing trade tensions, China has launched two investigations targeting the U.S. semiconductor industry. The move comes ahead of high-level talks scheduled to take place in Madrid this week between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. The discussions are expected to cover trade, national security, and the future of social media platform TikTok.

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced an anti-dumping investigation into specific analog integrated circuit (IC) chips imported from the United States, including commodity interface IC chips and gate driver IC chips. Companies like Texas Instruments and ON Semiconductor are expected to be impacted. Separately, the ministry announced a probe into what it considers discriminatory U.S. measures against China’s semiconductor sector.

According to a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson, export curbs and tariffs imposed by the U.S. are aimed at suppressing China’s technological advancement, specifically in areas like advanced computer chips and artificial intelligence.

The U.S. actions follow Friday’s addition of 23 Chinese companies to an “entity list,” restricting their access to U.S. technology and goods due to alleged threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. Among those listed are two companies accused of acquiring chipmaking equipment for Chinese chipmaker SMIC.

The upcoming meeting in Madrid represents the latest attempt to de-escalate trade tensions between the two economic powerhouses. Previous discussions have taken place in Geneva, London, and Stockholm, resulting in temporary pauses on escalating tariffs. The U.S. argues that restrictions on China’s access to advanced semiconductors and chipmaking equipment are necessary for national security, while China views them as a deliberate strategy to contain its growth. The upcoming talks will focus on balancing the relationship in strategic industries such as rare earths, semiconductors and medicines.

Read More