The US has introduced export restrictions to 140 Chinese semiconductor companies to curb the growth of its AI industry.

The export of memory chips used in AI applications is restricted, but a delayed announcement gave Chinese companies the chance to stock up.

Washington will restrict exports to 140 China-based companies, Reuters reported, ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

On Monday, the outgoing Biden administration will implement its third crackdown on China’s semiconductor industry within three years, citing the same national security threats as reasons it mentioned for its prior sanctions,

Sweeping rules target Chinese access to US-origin and foreign-made products using high-bandwidth memory technologies.