Payam Javan: In a significant step toward easing trade tensions, the U.S. government has lifted export restrictions on advanced chip-design software to China, allowing major semiconductor software companies—Siemens, Synopsys, and Cadence—to resume full operations in the Chinese market. The Commerce Department sent letters confirming the decision, reversing restrictions imposed in May that required special licenses for such sales. Siemens has already restored access to its technology and resumed sales and support for Chinese customers, while Synopsys and Cadence are actively working to follow suit.

Additionally, the U.S. has removed barriers to ethane exports to China, rescinding a restrictive license requirement introduced just weeks ago. Letters were sent to producers Enterprise Products Partners and Energy Transfer, signaling a broader relaxation of trade controls. These moves indicate a potential thaw in U.S.-China trade relations, with significant implications for the global semiconductor and energy sectors.