'..to shut down exports to Russia at a moment's notice.''WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House told the U.S. chip industry to be prepared for new restrictions on exports to Russia if Moscow attacks Ukraine, sources said, including potentially blocking the country's access to global electronic supplies.
The warning followed inquiries by the industry after reports by Reuters and the New York Times on potential curbs.
In a phone call on Friday, White House National Security Council officials Peter Harrell and Tarun Chhabra told executives from the Semiconductor Industry Association, a chip lobbying group, to be ready for unprecedented actions against Russia if it invades Ukraine.
"The NSC relayed in blunt and stark terms the gravity of the situation they are currently grappling with in Ukraine, noting that this is an extraordinary situation and potentially the worst cross border invasion to take place since WWII," an SIA director wrote to members following the call, according to an email seen by Reuters. "The NSC indicated that the administration is actively considering any and all options."
According to the email, SIA had sought clarity about the probability of a range of measures, including financial sanctions, broadening export restrictions to Russia to be like those for Iran and North Korea, and applying to Russia a 2020 rule that vastly expanded the government's powers to block shipments of foreign made goods to China's Huawei.
One person on the SIA call with its members said getting ready could include checking on employees in Moscow to make sure they have good IT protection and preparations to shut down exports to Russia at a moment's notice.'
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White House tells chip industry to be ready for potential Russia export curbs, January 19, 2022
Context(WARNING)(Beginning of NATO Mobilization)(Preparing for war) - Norway, Sweden, 'What Ukraine Can Learn From Finland'