US orders chip equipment companies to halt some shipments to Hua Hong, China’s second-largest chipmaker

New York: The U.S. Department of Commerce last week ordered numerous chip equipment companies to halt certain tool shipments to China’s second-largest chipmaker Hua Hong, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The department sent letters to at least a handful of companies informing them of the new restrictions on tools and other materials destined for Hua Hong facilities that U.S. officials believe ‌will make ⁠China’s most ⁠sophisticated chips, the people said.