07:40 AM EDT, 06/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US Department of Commerce officials considered new export limits on critical technology headed to China before the recent trade talks held in London, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing sources with knowledge of the details.

The unit within the agency supervising export controls mulled tougher limits on semiconductors, including terminating sales of a wider range of chip-making equipment, the sources reportedly said.

Such a move could have disrupted chip supply chains and threatened billions of dollars worth of sales for companies like Applied Materials ( AMAT ) , Lam Research ( LRCX ) and KLA (KLAC), according to the report.

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