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U.S. Grants Samsung and SK Hynix New Chip License

12/30/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. government granted Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix an annual license to import chip manufacturing equipment to their China facilities for 2026.
The new annual approval replaces the previous validated end user status, which ends on December 31.
The Xi’an NAND plant is crucial for Samsung, producing a significant portion of the world's NAND flash chips, and future shipments will require U.S. export licenses under the new system.

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Story summary

The U.S. government granted Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix an annual license to import chip manufacturing equipment to their China facilities for 2026.
The new annual approval replaces the previous validated end user status, which ends on December 31.
The Xi’an NAND plant is crucial for Samsung, producing a significant portion of the world's NAND flash chips, and future shipments will require U.S. export licenses under the new system.