The United States launches a new investigation into old Chinese semiconductors.

On Monday, the Biden administration launched a new investigation into older Chinese semiconductors, which are used in various products such as cars, household goods, and defense systems. The United States accused China of using market-unfair practices and targeting industries that harm competition, creating significant repercussions for global supply chains in key semiconductor components. The administration explained that the investigation will focus—under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974—on China's production of silicon carbide substrates and other chips used in manufacturing older semiconductors, as older semiconductor chips, produced using outdated technologies, still play an important role in China's chip industry. As a result, additional tariffs may be imposed on these Chinese products, making the new investigation an intensification of the pressures that the United States continues to exert on China's semiconductor industry, which has previously targeted advanced chips for sectors like artificial intelligence. This action follows other U.S. measures targeting the technology sector in China, including higher tariffs on imports of electric vehicles and semiconductors, and the investigations are likely to be completed before the next U.S. administration, led by the elected president Donald Trump, takes over.