Commerce Withdraws Rule to Control Field Effect Transistor Technology
The Commerce Department withdrew a rule that was expected to impose controls on exports of field effect transistor technology (see 1912170031), according to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the Office of Management and Budget. The “Gate-All-Around Field Effect Transistor (GAAFET) Technology” rule, which was sent to OIRA in November and withdrawn Feb. 11, was expected to be one of six rules issued by Commerce early this year (see 1912160032) as part of the agency’s effort to control emerging technologies. Commerce has faced delays while trying to release the rules, which officials expected to be issued by now (see 2002040057). So far, Commerce has issued one rule in the vein of emerging technologies: a January interim final rule to control geospatial imagery software (see 2001030024).
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Commerce sought to control GAAFET because it represents a “breakthrough in computing technology,” according to a January post from Kirkland & Ellis. GAAFET will likely “usher in the next generation of high-performing chips,” which could have advantages for U.S. industries as the Trump administration tries to sustain a technological advantage over China. Commerce did not comment.