Leila Aden
Abstract
This paper examines how the United States and Japan use export controls to counter China’s growing influence and how their approaches have reshaped their domestic semiconductor industries. China’s rapid technological advancements and growing influence in the global semiconductor industry have become a significant concern for both the United States and Japan, prompting a need for coordinated strategies that counterbalance this rise. However, the United States’ unilateral approach to export controls, intended to limit China’s access to advanced technologies, has had unintended consequences. These measures have impacted the semiconductor industries of U.S. allies, including Japan, and have strained relations by imposing economic burdens and disrupting established supply chains. The recent change in approach has weakened collective trust in American leadership and weakened crucial alliances, ultimately undermining the collective effort needed to effectively address the challenge posed by China.
