US Lawmakers Concerned Over Intel's Testing of Tools
A collection of bipartisan American legislators, headed by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and Republican Tom Cotton, expressed apprehensions regarding national security concerning Intel's evaluation of chip manufacturing equipment produced by ACM Research.
ACM Research, a company headquartered in Fremont, California, specializing in the manufacturing of semiconductor equipment, has strong ties to China and two foreign subsidiaries that were specifically impacted by sanctions imposed by the US.
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Among its clientele are Chinese companies under sanctions, such as YMTC, CXMT, and SMIC, leading to concerns regarding the potential transmission of confidential data from Intel to Chinese entities by ACM, as raised by legislators.
Intel stated that they do not utilize ACM tools in their semiconductor production operations. They further mentioned that they adhere strictly to U.S. laws and regulations and maintain frequent communication with the US government regarding security concerns.
The company has stated that it is unable to provide details regarding specific customer interactions. However, it can confirm that tools from their Asian branches have been sold and delivered by ACMR's US team to domestic clients.
Additionally, the company has reported the delivery of three tools to a prominent US semiconductor manufacturer, currently undergoing testing and meeting performance criteria.
The joint letter, bearing the signatures of Democrats Elissa Slotkin and Andy Kim, along with Republicans Jim Banks and Pete Ricketts, demonstrates a bipartisan apprehension regarding China's increasing influence in the US semiconductor manufacturing industry.
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The House Selection Committee on China stated in October that they have closely examined reports indicating that ACM Research has sold semiconductor manufacturing equipment to a semiconductor manufacturer with operations in the US which has officially endorsed the use of ACM Research's tools in its production line.
legislators further acknowledged the unique obligations facing Intel, which successfully resisted pressure for its CEO to resign from President Donald Trump in August due to alleged connections to China. This is in light of the fact that the US government currently holds a share in the company.
"This raises important questions about Intel's fiduciary responsibility and approach to safeguarding the public interest, including how the company benefits American economic interests and taxpayers," they wrote.
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"Intel's entanglements with blacklisted Chinese companies calls into question whether taxpayer dollars are subsidizing activities that could directly threaten US national security and leadership in semiconductor manufacturing," they added.