Tech war: US lifts export control of chip design software to China

The US said on Thursday it had lifted export controls on certain chip design software to China, according to statements from Cadence Design Systems, Siemens and Synopsys.

Three of the world’s largest electronic design automation (EDA) software developers have been informed by the US government that sales of their products to China would no longer require special approval, signalling a further easing of bilateral tensions.

San Jose, California-based Cadence said in an email that the US Bureau of Industry and Security, under the Department of Commerce, “has rescinded the export restrictions” that were imposed late in May.

Synopsys, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, referenced a letter from the Commerce Department, confirming that the recently imposed curbs on sales to China “have now been rescinded, effective immediately”, in a statement on the company’s website.

Siemens Industry Software, located in Plano, Texas, said in a statement it was notified by the US government about the end of the export control. “As a result, Siemens has restored full access to software and technology” and “resumed sales and support to Chinese customers,” the company said.

Both Cadence and Synopsys have said they were working to restore access to their software and technology for China-based clients.