According to Bloomberg’s latest report, the EU is considering launching a formal review aimed at assessing the extent to which the region’s enterprises rely on mature process chips imported from China.This action suggests that the EU may be following the U.S. and reviewing the potential national security and global supply chain risks posed by dependence on China.

According to a draft work statement seen by Bloomberg, the EU is considering investigating the extent to which Chinese semiconductors are embedded in the entire industrial chain in Europe.The chip, although it does not involve cutting-edge technology, plays a critical role in several key areas such as military, electric vehicles and infrastructure.

In addition, the report noted that the European Commissions investigation may mark a preliminary attempt with the United States to take joint action to restrict Chinas semiconductor industry.In the past few years, Washington has been highlighting security concerns related to China and trying to limit the influence of Chinese companies in global supply chains, in areas such as solar and steel.

The Chinese side has expressed clear opposition to this approach in Europe and the United States, believing that unreasonable pressure on Chinese semiconductor enterprises is a typical economic bullying. China insists that cooperation in the semiconductor industry should be built on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win, opposing the politicization of science and technology and economic issues.

The draft of the European Commission is scheduled to be presented during the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting in Belgium in April, which could potentially deepen cross-Atlantic cooperation on technology and trade policy, in the context of competing with China’s economic and technological power.

At the moment, representatives of the European Commission have not yet given an official response to this report. However, if the review proceeds, it could have a significant impact on the European semiconductor industry, especially for European companies that rely on Chinese low-end chips. This initiative could also change the pattern of the global semiconductor supply chain and increase Europe’s efforts in semiconductor autonomy.