China has banned American chipmaker Micron from participating in key infrastructure projects

The trade and technology war between China and the USA is reaching a new level. Now not only US and Allies restrict China’s access to chip nanufacturing equipment and stop granting export licenses to some Chinese companies. China strikes back by banning US memory maker Micron Technology from participation in critical infrastructure projects of the PRC, BBC reports.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced: “The review found that Micron’s products have serious network security risks, which pose significant security risks to China’s critical information infrastructure supply chain, affecting China’s national security.”

The CAC neither provided details about the risks it allegedly found, nor specified which Micron products they were found in.

A Micron representative confirmed that the company “received the CAC’s notice following its review of Micron products sold in China”.

“We are evaluating the conclusion and assessing our next steps. We look forward to continuing to engage in discussions with Chinese authorities,” they added.

In response, the US government said it would work with allies to address what it called “distortions of the memory chip market caused by China’s actions.”

“We firmly oppose restrictions that have no basis in fact. This action, along with recent raids and targeting of other American firms, is inconsistent with [China’s] assertions that it is opening its markets and committed to a transparent regulatory framework,” said a spokesman for the US Department of Commerce.

The CAC’s announcement came a day after a meeting of G7 leaders in Japan, which was followed by a joint statement criticizing China, in particular for its use of “economic coercion”.

“The G7 countries seek to de-risk and diversify our relations with China. This means taking steps to diversify our supply chains,” US President Joe Biden said on Sunday.

Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra attended the Hiroshima summit as part of business leaders group. Last week, the company said it would invest about ¥500 billion ($3.6 billion) in technology development in Japan.