[News] Beijing Reportedly Tightens Tech Exports Amid Trade Tensions, Impacting Foxconn

According to TechNews, citing the Financial Times, as trade tensions between the U.S., Europe and China continue to escalate, Beijing is intensifying its control over the outflow of Chinese technology, aiming to keep key technologies within the country. The report, citing sources, notes that Apple supplier Foxconn is among those affected by these measures.

The Financial Times, citing sources, reports that in recent months, Chinese authorities have tightened restrictions on certain engineers and equipment leaving the country. Additionally, new export controls have been introduced to retain critical battery technology and processing techniques for key minerals.

As noted by the report, these measures come amid global trade tensions, including former U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of increased tariffs on Chinese imports and ongoing trade disputes between Europe and China over automobile imports. These developments have prompted both local and foreign corporations in China to relocate their production lines to other regions.

For instance, the report points out that Chinese officials have imposed restrictions that make it difficult for Foxconn to transfer machinery and Chinese engineers to India. At the same time, Apple is actively working to establish its own supply chain in India, the report adds.

As the report indicates, an Indian official revealed that China has been using customs clearance delays to obstruct the flow of components and equipment into India.

The report, citing a Taiwanese electronics company executive, states that moving some equipment from China to Indian factories has encountered difficulties indeed, though shipments to Southeast Asia remain unaffected.

Meanwhile, the report also highlights that Beijing is increasingly implementing formal export controls on critical technologies, extending their reach globally.

For instance, as the report mentions, in January, China’s Ministry of Commerce proposed restrictions on the export of lithium mining technologies and advanced battery material production technologies. The report points out that China holds a leading position in both of these fields.

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