The BIS statement announcing the export ban made no mention of the countries, but recent events make it clear the target is China – the US has been considering other tech export bans (and investment freezes), recenlylall of which appeared tailored to target China.

Analysts in the Middle Kingdom have claimed the ban would have little short-term impact on China's chipmaking industry as no one in China has yet managed to design chips as advanced as those targeted by the ban.