Samsung, SK Hynix Lose US Waiver on Chip Gear for China Use

The Trump administration will make it harder for Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. to ship critical equipment to their chipmaking operations in China, dealing a potential blow to the companies’ production in the world’s largest semiconductor market.

Under a notice published Friday, the Commerce Department said it was revoking waivers for Samsung and SK Hynix to use US technologies in their Chinese operations. The semiconductor companies had been operating in China under regulations that allow them to import chipmaking equipment without applying for a new license each time.