Semiconductor Regulations and Technological Innovation: Contrasting Views from the Two Nations In April 2026, the US-China tech hegemony competition entered a new phase. As the United States strengthened its semiconductor export controls against China, this has gone beyond a mere economic power struggle, causing significant changes in global supply chains and national technology policies. The semiconductor industry, in particular, is at the forefront of this competition, and the clash of interests between the US and China is drawing the entire international community onto a single stage. Let's highlight an interesting fact here. Rather than alleviating tensions between major powers, the semiconductor policies of both nations are accelerating the debate over technological self-reliance in each country. Representative John Moolenaar of the US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party strongly defended the Trump administration's measures to prevent the theft of semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in a statement released on April 23, 2026. He stated, "I support the Trump administration's efforts to stop the Chinese Communist Party from stealing American technology," adding, "We will ensure that AI and other sensitive advanced technologies do not fall into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party." Representative Moolenaar also emphasized that "the passage of the Dismantle Communist Regime Economic Threats or DCRET Act will play a crucial role in protecting America's technological superiority and restricting China's access to technology." These remarks indicate that the US views semiconductor regulations not merely as economic measures but as issues of national security and strategic importance. In contrast, China's state-run Global Times presented a completely different perspective in an article published on April 29, 2026. The outlet pointed out that repeated US chip regulations reflect a protectionist mindset, creating a "cycle of pressure and breakthrough" that is gradually diminishing the effectiveness of the regulations. Citing Chinese experts, the article reported that "these repeated sanctions are, in fact, accelerating China's own technological innovation and breakthroughs." The Global Times also argued that in the long run, US regulations would accelerate China's technological self-reliance, ultimately leading to the paradoxical outcome of depriving American companies of opportunities in the Chinese market. Indeed, the Chinese government is making massive investments aimed at developing its own technology and fostering its domestic industry in the semiconductor sector, demonstrating efforts to overcome sanctions. The confrontation between the US and China is not merely a bilateral issue. It is causing ripples throughout the global economy, resulting in a restructuring of global supply chains. Following the US semiconductor regulations, major semiconductor-producing nations, including Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, are being directly and indirectly affected. For South Korea, which has traditionally built close cooperative ties with the United States, this presents a complex challenge: strengthening its technological alliance while simultaneously protecting its economic interests in the global market. South Korea's situation is unique and sensitive. South Korea holds a leading position in the global memory semiconductor market, with companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix commanding over 70% of the global DRAM market and more than 50% of the NAND flash market. China is one of South Korea's major export markets for semiconductors, with a significant portion of South Korea's total semiconductor exports going to China. Therefore, South Korean companies face a dilemma: they are pressured to comply with US regulations while needing to maintain their market share in China. This is not merely a matter of economic choice but requires strategic consideration on how to balance security alliances with economic benefits. The Impact of US-China Competition on Global Supply Chains Meanwhile, international experts are raising concerns that stringent US sanctions against China could, in the long run, act as an "unintended catalyst" for China's technological advancement. There is a possibility that global supply chains could become more fragmented, and China's establishment of an independent technological ecosystem could make it difficult for the US to achieve its strategic objectives. According to expert analysis cited by the Global Times, China is likely to accelerate the strengthening of its indigenous technological capabilities under pressure, and while there may be short-term pain, it is highly probable that it will achieve its long-term goal of technological self-reliance. The Chinese government's "Made in China 2025" policy and its recent "semiconductor rise" strategy clearly demonstrate this will for self-reliance. Of course, counterarguments also exist. One of the mai
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