AMD under pressure as Washington ramps up China export rules

​​​Washington tightens the rules on chip exports

​U.S. officials have told AMD it cannot sell an AI chip tailored for Chinese customers without an export license, ensnaring the chipmaker in Washington's crackdown on tech exports to China. AMD had hoped to get approval to sell the lower-performance chip to Chinese buyers since it operates below AMD's offerings outside China.

​AMD has declined to comment on whether it will seek the required license. AMD's shares fell 2.2% Tuesday amid investor concerns over potential impact on its China business, though the shares rebounded by the end of the session.

​​The U.S. unveiled export curbs in 2022 to limit China's access to advanced chips and chipmaking tools over national security worries. Controls were tightened further in October 2022 to cover more tech. Like AMD, Nvidia has downgraded performance of AI chips for the Chinese market to comply with escalating U.S. restrictions.

​Major Chinese tech firms like Tencent and Baidu have stockpiled Nvidia's powerful pre-ban AI chips to sustain development for 1-2 years. Huawei is developing its own AI chips to fill potential gaps from the U.S. ban.

​​The Biden administration's intensifying efforts force AMD, Nvidia to navigate complex export rules that risk impacting a major market.

​AMD stock price – technical analysis

​The AMD share price, which has risen by nearly 50% year-to-date, accelerated to the upside last week and added around 15% of gains since last Thursday.

​AMD Daily Candlestick Chart

​The fact that the last few days’ swift rally occurred while three price gaps were made, one of which has been filled on Tuesday, does mean that the current advance might be fragile as it seems to be driven by investors who jump on the bandwagon for fear of missing out.

​Having said that, even if a short-term retracement lower were to be seen, the mid-January to late February $184.92 to $161.81 sideways trading range should offer solid support.

​​While it and the October-to-March uptrend line underpin, the medium-term uptrend will remain valid.

​A rise above Tuesday’s $211.01 record high would put the minor psychological $250 mark on the cards.​​