China Pushes Back on U.S. Chip Equipment Bill Ahead of Beijing Talks

China is opposing proposed U.S. legislation that would tighten access to chipmaking equipment for Chinese semiconductor firms, escalating technology tensions ahead of expected Beijing talks in the week of May 13, 2026, between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The MATCH Act, introduced in Congress in April 2026, would pressure allied countries including Japan and the Netherlands to restrict exports of critical chipmaking tools to China and require licenses to service equipment. The bill advanced from the House Foreign Affairs Committee on April 22 in a 36-8 vote. Companies potentially affected include ASML and Tokyo Electron, while Micron reportedly helped drive the proposal. China’s Ministry of Commerce has criticized the bill and warned it would take “necessary measures” if it becomes law. Beijing issued a decree on April 13 that could add entities supporting foreign extraterritorial restrictions to a “Malicious Entity List” and enable legal action. The White House has not publicly taken a position on the bill.