TSMC has informed its AI chip customers in mainland China via an official email that it will suspend the supply of all chips manufactured using 7nm and more advanced processes to AI/GPU customers in the region, effective November 11. The decision is a temporary strategy forced by the requirements of the US government, a TSMC insider told Chinese media outlet Icsmart. Details: The US is attempting to impose broad restrictions on Chinese companies using TSMC’s 7nm and below processes, while TSMC has been negotiating to limit the impact to AI chip customers. Context: Last week, Donald Trump won the US presidential election, and the country is now in the transition period between the current Biden administration and the upcoming Trump administration. It is uncertain whether the current Biden administration will introduce new semiconductor restrictions on China before Trump officially takes office or leave it to the Trump administration to handle.