TSMC denies U.S. investigation after reports Huawei is using its chips | Real Time Headlines

British Semiconductor Huawei has denied that the United States is investigating its dealings with Chinese technology company Huawei after reports that Huawei chips were found in the Shenzhen company’s products.

“TSMC is a law-abiding company and we are committed to complying with all applicable rules and regulations, including applicable export controls,” a company spokesperson told CNBC in a statement on Wednesday.

Technology-focused publication The Information reported Last week, the U.S. Commerce Department was investigating whether TSMC had been producing artificial intelligence or smartphone chips for Huawei in violation of U.S. export rules.

A TSMC spokesperson added: “We are actively communicating with the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the issues in the report. At this time, we are not aware of whether TSMC is subject to any investigation.”

Huawei was placed in the United States trade blacklist In May 2019, due to national security considerations.

TSMC, the world’s largest chip foundry, said it would no longer supply chips to Huawei since mid-September 2020.

respectively, Reuters report On Tuesday, a TSMC chip was recently found in a Huawei product, suggesting possible export violations and prompting the chipmaker to notify the U.S. Commerce Department.

The report, citing anonymous sources, said the discovery was made after technology research firm TechInsights dismantled Huawei products and that TSMC chips are part of its multi-chip systems.

TechInsights has not released a public report on its findings and has not yet responded to CNBC’s request for comment.

TSMC declined to comment further on the specific claims in the Reuters report.

Ever since Huawei released a device that includes 5G chipthe United States has tried to restrict the company’s use of the technology.

The Commerce Department and Huawei did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

TSMC shares fell 1.4% on Wednesday.