China warned on Thursday it would take “necessary actions” to protect Chinese firms if the U.S. escalated chip control measures.
This follows reports that the Biden administration could unveil new export restrictions as soon as this week.
Last week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce informed members in an email that the Biden administration was considering adding as many as 200 Chinese chip companies to a trade blacklist.
The move would prevent most U.S. suppliers from shipping to them.
Asked about the report at a news conference on Thursday, a commerce ministry spokesperson told Reuters that China “strongly opposes” what he described as the broadening of the concept of national security by the US.
He says it is an abuse of control measures targeting Chinese companies.
The U.S. has been tightening controls over semiconductors amid fears that China could use advanced technologies to strengthen its military.