Commerce Secretary Raimondo Downplays Huawei’s Latest Phone Chip

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo downplayed Huawei Technologies’ latest microchip breakthrough, arguing the U.S. remains far ahead of China in the critical technology.

In an interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes” on Sunday, Raimondo said the advanced made-in-China chip in a Huawei phone last year remains “years behind what we have in the United States.”

“We have the most sophisticated semiconductors in the world. China doesn’t. We’ve out-innovated China,” she said, noting that it’s “fair” to include Taiwan in her use of “we.” 

Huawei, which is blacklisted in the U.S., released the Mate 60 Pro smartphone in August, which is powered by a 5G-capable chip, despite a series of U.S. export controls in late 2022. Huawei is Apple’s (AAPL) main competitor for high-end phones in China.

The Biden administration has been doling out funds in order to help revitalize America’s semiconductor manufacturing.

Earlier this month, the White House announced up to $6.6 billion in direct federal funding for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSM) Arizona factory complex from the CHIPS and Science Act, which supports research and manufacturing of high-tech chips domestically.

Recent recipients of CHIPS Act awards include Intel (INTC), with up to $8.5 billion in grants as well an additional $11 billion in loans, and Micron Technology (MU) is reportedly poised to receive $6.1 billion in federal grants this week to help build its domestic facilities.