China's chip imports drop 15% as US tightens tech export controls
China's semiconductor imports have dropped by 14.6% in the first nine months of this year due to tightened US export controls. Imports of integrated circuits (ICs) decreased to 355.9 billion units, with a total value of $252.9 billion. However, there has been a modest improvement in China's IC import trend in recent months due to the country's increasing demand for advanced semiconductors for AI development. The drop in chip imports is a result of the US implementing stricter rules to limit exports to China and curb its technological advancements.