An AMD consultant mentioned Thursday that the corporate is halting gross sales of its merchandise to Russia. This appears to be the primary specific dedication from the chip business in taking motion in opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In response to AMD, the chip ban extends to Belarus, which Russia has used as a staging floor for its attacking forces. “Based mostly on sanctions positioned on Russia by the US and different nations, presently AMD is suspending its gross sales and distribution of our merchandise into Russia and Belarus,” an AMD consultant mentioned in an e mail. “It’s all AMD merchandise and merchandise we energy (PCs, and so forth) in Russia and Belarus.”
On Feb. 24, the U.S. Division of Commerce applied a brand new Commerce Management Checklist-based license requirement for Russia. This requirement restricts exports to the nation for key industries together with “microelectronics,” avionics, navigation tools, and extra. Basically, the brand new export guidelines blacklist Russia and companies working there from legally shopping for the restricted items.
So far, nonetheless, the chip business has been considerably obscure in the way it has reacted to the continuing Ukraine battle.
On Feb. 26, for instance, an Intel consultant merely mentioned that “Intel complies with all relevant export laws and sanctions within the nations wherein it operates, together with the brand new sanctions issued by OFAC and the laws issued by BIS.” On the time, the consultant declined to remark additional when requested if that indicated a selected ban on gross sales to Russia. A supply near Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world’s largest and most necessary fab, advised the Washington Publish that the foundry has suspended all gross sales to Russia and to 3rd events that offer merchandise to Russia. On the report, nonetheless, a TSMC consultant advised the paper that it might merely adjust to the brand new export guidelines.
In comparison with the general market, nonetheless, chip gross sales to Russia characterize a small fraction of complete gross sales. On Feb. 24, the Semiconductor Business Affiliation launched an announcement that characterised Russia as “not a major direct client” of semiconductors.
“Whereas the affect of the brand new guidelines to Russia may very well be important, Russia will not be a major direct client of semiconductors, accounting for lower than 0.1% of world chip purchases, in line with the World Semiconductor Commerce Statistics (WSTS) group,” the SIA mentioned in an announcement. “The broader Russian ICT market totaled solely about $50.3 billion out of the $4.47 trillion world market, in line with 2021 IDC knowledge.
“As well as, the semiconductor business has a various set of suppliers of key supplies and gases, so we don’t imagine there are rapid provide disruption dangers associated to Russia and Ukraine,” the SIA added.
The AMD consultant echoed what the SIA mentioned, particularly relating to its personal provide chain. “At present, we don’t imagine that the battle will affect our capacity to supply merchandise, assist, and companies to our companions and prospects,” the AMD consultant mentioned in his e mail.
A consultant for Intel didn’t have any additional remark when reached Thursday morning. Representatives for Nvidia didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
As PCWorld’s senior editor, Mark focuses on Microsoft information and chip expertise, amongst different beats. He has previously written for PCMag, BYTE, Slashdot, eWEEK, and ReadWrite.
