EU wants to ban the creation of supercomputers and microchips in China – Kommersant

The first economic security doctrine being developed by the European Union (EU) will include a ban on the creation of supercomputers, artificial intelligence technologies and microchips in countries such as China, reports Politico. It is expected that the document will be presented today, June 20, by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the EU heads of state will discuss it at the summit on June 29-30.

According to the publication, the doctrine does not mention specific countries that will be affected by the ban, but “it is clear that we are talking about China along with Russia.” The document refers to the risk of “over-dependence on one country”, especially countries “with systemically divergent (with the EU.— “b”) values, models and interests”. The EU is supposed to prevent “investment in a narrow set of advanced technologies that can enhance the military and intelligence capabilities of actors that can use these capabilities to threaten international peace and security.”

According to the doctrine, the EU will propose to strengthen controls in three areas:

• verification of domestic investments (when foreign companies buy critical companies or infrastructure in Europe);
• export controls (when EU companies sell things like weapons or spyware to “hostile countries”);
• verification of external investments.

Now the governments of each of the countries are authorized to make decisions on export controls. Thanks to the new doctrine, Brussels wants to introduce control over the outsourcing of key industries and technologies to “potentially problem countries.” Areas where the EU can prevent outsourcing include quantum computing (which can be used to hack the most secure communications), artificial intelligence and advanced semiconductors.

In October 2022 USA restricted export to China of high-tech products, mainly related to the production of semiconductors, chips, network technologies. Washington also considered the possibility of tightening restrictions. The authorities of Japan and the Netherlands (the world’s largest manufacturers of equipment for the production of semiconductors – ASML, Nikon and Canon are based in these countries) since December are negotiating on the introduction of a tripartite technological blockade to stop the supply of advanced equipment for the production of microelectronics to China. China Semiconductor Industry Association warnedthat such restrictions would “cause irreparable harm” to the industry not only in China, but throughout the world.

Laura Keffer