Beijing’s latest breakthrough in chip technology marks a setback for US sanctions
When Beijing officials pleaded with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for relief from tech sanctions, she held a firm line.
“Of course, I said no,” Raimondo told journalists during her recent trip to China. “We don’t negotiate on matters of national security.”
Yet the power dynamic shifted 48 hours into her visit, when the Chinese sent a message designed to show US officials they did not hold as many cards as they thought.
On August 29, as Raimondo was shaking hands with Li Qiang, China’s premier and de facto number two politician, telecoms giant Huawei announced it was launching a new smartphone – one that appeared to make a mockery of US sanctions.