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Rubio, Hawley Question Dangerous Chip Waivers for China

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The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is reportedly preparing to indefinitely extend waivers that allow Korean and Taiwanese chipmakers to operate high-end semiconductor factories in China.

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) sent a letter urging U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to reject these waivers, which would undermine the country’s semiconductor export-control regime and unfairly treat the many firms that are complying with the rules instead of lobbying for special treatment that ultimately harms the United States.

  1. “If true, this report exposes BIS’s export-control rule as hollow, and provides further evidence that the Biden Administration’s talk of “competing” with the CCP is weakness masquerading as strength.”
  2. “BIS’s waivers are, at best, a slap in the face to those American, Dutch, and Japanese firms that have agreed to comply with the export controls… These waivers would divide our allies and partners when a united response is needed to confront the CCP.”
  3. “If the United States is serious about halting the CCP’s plans to dominate in the technologies of the future, we must get serious about keeping technology away from the PRC.”

 

 

The full text of the letter is below.

 

Dear Secretary Raimondo:

 

We write to express alarm that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is reportedly preparing to gut semiconductor export controls intended to restrict the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) access to advanced computer chips. The report states that BIS will extend waivers that allow South Korean and Taiwanese chipmakers to operate as well as expand high-end semiconductor factories in the PRC. If true, this report exposes BIS’s export-control rule as hollow, and provides further evidence that the Biden Administration’s talk of “competing” with the CCP is weakness masquerading as strength.

 

Issued on October 7, 2022, the BIS interim final rule ostensibly restricted the export of high-end semiconductors and semiconductor equipment made with American technology to the PRC. This rule, at best, was a step in the right direction. It restricted cutting-edge technology, while imposing no limits on legacy chips, which make up the bulk of global sales and have dual-use applications that could support the People’s Liberation Army. Unfortunately, BIS weakened this modest rule by issuing one-year waivers to Taiwanese firm TSMC, as well as Korean firms SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. These waivers were presented as a one-year grace period that would allow these chipmakers to end restricted transactions with the PRC. Now it seems this was actually spin, and that BIS will allow these foreign chipmakers to do business freely with the PRC. Undersecretary of Industry and Security Alan Estevez, the head of BIS, reportedly told the semiconductor industry’s lobbying group that those waivers will be extended for the foreseeable future. If this report is true, these waivers will deliver sensitive technology to Beijing on a silver platter.

 

The CCP is executing an all-out campaign of subsidies, threats, and technology theft to build its semiconductor industry, in keeping with General Secretary Xi Jinping’s boast that the CCP will be the “gravediggers of capitalism” in the twenty-first century. The PRC’s special interest in this sector is outlined in its Made in China 2025 industrial strategy and other guidelines and policies, such as its Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) strategy. According to the bipartisan U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, “Beijing is attempting to establish a leading position in the next global ‘revolution in military affairs’ and is employing its [MCF] strategy to gain advantage in key emerging technologies.” Just this month, a former Samsung executive was arrested and charged by authorities in the Republic of Korea with stealing factory blueprints with the intent of duplicating a Samsung factory in the PRC. This example is one of hundreds. BIS is now making the CCP’s job easier by allowing some of the world’s biggest chipmakers to sell more chips to the PRC, helping Chinese engineers access, copy, and steal that technology.

 

BIS’s waivers are, at best, a slap in the face to those American, Dutch, and Japanese firms that have agreed to comply with the export controls. Korean and Taiwanese firms, some of the largest and best-connected in the industry, would stand to pick up market share from firms that comply with the export controls and did not lobby for an exemption. These waivers would divide our allies and partners when a united response is needed to confront the CCP. At worst, we fear BIS could point to the very harms caused by its waivers to try to reverse the interim rule entirely.

 

BIS’s export-control rule was presented as the centerpiece of the Biden Administration’s attempt to cut off Beijing’s access to cutting-edge technology, in keeping with its so-called “small yard, high fence” approach to export controls. That approach was always inadequate to the scale of the threat. Another round of waivers would make it laughable. If the Biden Administration’s goal is to restrict cutting-edge technology to the CCP, why is it contemplating giving indefinite licenses to foreign firms so they can continue offering dangerous technology in the PRC?

 

If this report is true, it fits with the overall trend of the Biden Administration’s broken export-control regime and weakness toward Beijing. In 2021, BIS approved 88 percent of applications for export licenses to the PRC; the previous year, 94 percent of applications were approved.5 If the United States is serious about halting the CCP’s plans to dominate in the technologies of the future, we must get serious about keeping technology away from the PRC. As such, we urge you to immediately reject these waivers.

 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

 

Sincerely,

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US NATIONAL NEWS

“Rep. Maxwell Frost Condemns Trump for Shutting Down White House Gun Violence Prevention Office”

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WASHINGTON (FNN) – Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) expressed outrage as President Donald Trump’s administration swiftly dismantled the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) within 24 hours of taking office. The OGVP, established by the Biden-Harris Administration in 2023 after significant advocacy by Frost, was a critical initiative aimed at addressing America’s gun violence crisis.

The OGVP provided federal leadership in responding to mass shootings, connecting municipalities with vital resources for victims, and implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The office’s accomplishments included distributing millions in federal grants, such as $1.5 million to the City of Orlando’s Community Violence Intervention Program. Frost criticized Trump’s decision as a significant step backward in the fight to protect communities from gun violence.

In his statement, Frost emphasized the bipartisan need for gun reform:
“Donald Trump’s reckless decision to close the Office of Gun Violence Prevention is a betrayal of the American people. This office was saving lives, not playing politics. We need leaders on both sides of the aisle to prioritize the safety of our communities. The fight for common-sense gun reform is far from over.”

Impact of Ending the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention:
The closure of OGVP signals a troubling shift in federal priorities. Without a central office to coordinate responses to mass shootings and gun violence, victims and communities may face delays in accessing critical resources. Federal grants for community violence intervention programs could be slashed, stalling progress in violence prevention efforts. The decision also halts federal oversight of initiatives such as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, leaving a gap in addressing the growing epidemic of gun violence.

What’s Next?
Congressman Maxwell Frost has vowed to lead the charge in reestablishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. He plans to work with advocacy groups, local governments, and bipartisan leaders to pass new legislation ensuring a federal response to gun violence remains a priority. Frost urges Americans to contact their representatives to demand action and support initiatives aimed at protecting communities from gun-related tragedies.

_____________________________________________________________________

J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
news@FloridaNationalNews.com

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US NATIONAL NEWS

President Trump Declares New “Golden Age” for America with Sweeping Executive Orders

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President Donald Trump holds up the letter that former President Joe Biden left for him in the desk as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (AP)
President Donald Trump holds up the letter that former President Joe Biden left for him in the desk as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (AP)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FNN) – On the historic day of his second inauguration, President Donald J. Trump wasted no time delivering on his promises to the American people. Declaring the beginning of a new “Golden Age,” the 47th President signed a series of sweeping executive orders aimed at transforming energy, immigration, government accountability, and national security policies.

President Trump Ushers in a New Era of American Greatness with Day One Executive Orders

Day One: A Legacy of Action
President Trump emphasized his commitment to reversing policies from the previous administration and implementing bold reforms to restore America’s global standing and economic prosperity.

Energy Independence Revived

President Trump fulfilled key campaign promises by launching a national energy emergency, lifting restrictive regulations, and reopening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for energy development. He also ended the Biden administration’s electric vehicle mandate and paused offshore wind projects, declaring these actions necessary to unlock America’s full energy potential.

“With today’s actions, we’re bringing energy costs down for hardworking families and restoring our nation’s energy independence,” President Trump announced during his speech.

Securing America’s Borders

Trump made border security a cornerstone of his campaign and wasted no time in addressing immigration policies. His executive orders reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, resumed border wall construction, and designated international cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Additionally, he halted refugee admissions and closed loopholes to end “birth tourism” and catch-and-release policies.

“America’s borders will no longer be wide open,” Trump asserted. “We will protect our citizens, prioritize safety, and ensure that immigration laws serve the interests of our country.”

Draining the Swamp

In an aggressive push to reform government, President Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut waste and streamline operations. He also reinstated merit-based hiring practices and signed an order to root out corruption by making it easier to fire underperforming federal employees.

“Today, we begin the process of taking back control of our government and holding it accountable to the American people,” Trump declared.

Restoring American Values and Sovereignty

Key executive orders targeted cultural and foreign policy shifts. President Trump reinstated the death penalty for drug dealers and human traffickers, declared the United States would officially recognize only two genders, and renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”

On foreign policy, he renewed his America First trade agenda and redirected foreign aid to align with U.S. interests and values.

“Our policies will always put America first,” President Trump said, reiterating his focus on prioritizing the welfare of American citizens.

President Trump’s Executive Orders Kickstart a Bold Vision for America’s Future

The sweeping reforms enacted by President Trump on his first day in office signal a dramatic shift in national priorities. His decisive actions aim to bolster the economy, secure the border, restore traditional values, and dismantle bureaucracy.

As President Trump stated, “This is just the beginning. Together, we will bring about an era of unmatched greatness for our nation.”

____________________________________________________________________________

J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Nerwork
news@FloridaNationalNews.com

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US NATIONAL NEWS

NASA’s Day of Remembrance Honors Fallen Heroes of Exploration

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NASA will observe its annual Day of Remembrance on Thursday, Jan. 23, honoring the members of the NASA family who lost their lives in the pursuit of exploration and discovery for benefit of humanity. The event, traditionally held every year on the fourth Thursday of January, remembers the crews of Apollo 1 and the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia.

“On NASA’s Day of Remembrance, we pause to reflect on the bravery, dedication, and selflessness of the extraordinary individuals who pushed the boundaries of exploration and discovery,” said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. “Their legacies remind us of the profound responsibility we have to carry their dreams forward while ensuring safety remains our guiding principle.”

Free will lead an observance at 1 p.m. EST at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, which will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by observances for the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia crews.

Several agency centers also will hold observances for NASA Day of Remembrance:

Johnson Space Center in Houston

NASA Johnson will hold a commemoration at 10 a.m. CST at the Astronaut Memorial Grove with remarks by Center Director Vanessa Wyche. The event will have a moment of silence, a NASA T-38 flyover, taps performed by the Texas A&M Squadron 17, and a procession placing flowers at Apollo I, Challenger, and Columbia memorial trees.

Kennedy Space Center in Florida

NASA Kennedy and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation will host a ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial at Kennedy’s Visitor Complex at 10 a.m. EST. The event will include remarks from Tal Ramon, son of Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, space shuttle Columbia.

Kelvin Manning, deputy director at NASA Kennedy, also will provide remarks during the ceremony, which will livestream on the center’s Facebook page.

Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley

NASA Ames will hold a remembrance ceremony at 1 p.m. PST that includes remarks from Center Director Eugene Tu, a moment of silence, and bell ringing commemoration.

Glenn Research Center in Cleveland

NASA Glenn will observe Day of Remembrance at 1 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 28, with remarks from Center Director Jimmy Kenyon followed by wreath placement, moment of silence, and taps at Lewis Field​.

Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia

NASA Langley will hold a remembrance ceremony with Acting Center Director Dawn Schaible followed by placing flags at the Langley Workers Memorial.

Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama

NASA Marshall will hold a candle-lighting ceremony and wreath placement at 9:30 a.m. CST. The ceremony will include remarks from Larry Leopard, associate director, and Bill Hill, director of Marshall’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance.

Stennis Space Flight Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

NASA Stennis and the NASA Shared Services Center will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at 9 a.m. CST with remarks from Center Director John Bailey and Anita Harrell, NASA Shared Services Center executive director.

The agency also is paying tribute to its fallen astronauts with special online content, updated on NASA’s Day of Remembrance, at:

https://www.nasa.gov/dor/

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