Daijiworld Media Network - Beijing

Beijing, Sep 14: China has opened two high-profile investigations targeting the US semiconductor industry just days before top-level trade discussions between the two nations.

The Ministry of Commerce announced an anti-dumping probe into certain American-made analog integrated circuit (IC) chips—products commonly supplied by Texas Instruments and Analog Devices. At the same time, Beijing began an anti-discrimination investigation into US restrictions on China’s chip sector.

The move follows Washington’s decision to add 23 more Chinese firms to its entity list, which limits their access to American technology on national security grounds.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Madrid for multi-day talks covering trade, economic, and security issues. The discussions come as the Trump administration’s elevated tariffs on China remain paused amid ongoing negotiations.

A commerce ministry spokesperson accused the US of “protectionist practices,” citing export controls and 301 investigations that allegedly suppress China’s development of advanced computing chips and AI industries.

Analog chips, though not cutting-edge, are vital for devices from smartphones and electric vehicles to medical imaging systems. The anti-dumping probe is expected to last about a year and could be extended by six months, while the anti-discrimination inquiry may conclude within three months.

The Madrid talks are also expected to touch on the status of TikTok and broader cooperation on money-laundering prevention, according to the US Treasury Department.