Select Committee on China Calls Out Lam Research for Failure to Provide Documents on China Sales, Demands Full Compliance

WASHINGTON D.C. — Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party today criticized Lam Research for its failure to disclose information about the company’s sale of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the Select Committee’s ongoing investigation. This is one of multiple investigatory steps the Select Committee is taking to shed light on China’s use of U.S. and allied semiconductor manufacturing equipment to undermine American security and interests.

Last November, the Committee launched the investigation into ASML, Applied Materials, KLA, Lam Research, and Tokyo Electron following alarming reports of the rapidly increasing flow of American, Japanese, and Dutch semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China that could enhance the People’s Liberation Army’s capabilities and accelerate China’s advances in AI. China now purchases more semiconductor manufacturing equipment than the U.S., South Korea, and Taiwan combined, posing significant risks to U.S. national and economic security.

The initial letters requested detailed information about their sales to China and transactions involving sensitive technologies. 

The lawmakers today wrote, "The failure to comply with the agreed-upon deadlines is unacceptable, and we are reasserting our call for compliance to ensure U.S. security interests are protected." 

"Ensuring transparency in the flow of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China is a top priority for this Congress,” stated Chairman Moolenaar.  “In the competition against China, we cannot afford to let U.S. technology inadvertently strengthen the Chinese Communist Party. Our nation's security and technological leadership depend on accountability and robust oversight, and we will take all necessary steps to safeguard both."

Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi added, "Perhaps the only thing more dangerous than the CCP obtaining advanced chips that threaten our national security is the CCP obtaining the machines they need to produce those chips themselves.  The Select Committee is committed to safeguarding U.S. AI leadership, and we expect all companies to fully cooperate with this investigation. Semiconductors are at the heart of the strategic competition with the CCP and this committee has a solemn responsibility to provide policymakers with the information they need to protect America’s national security.” 

The lawmakers’ letter to Lam Research is here.