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The U.S. Commerce Department has withheld export approvals for American-made semiconductor equipment SK hynix needs to expand its plant in Dalian, China, Reuters reported on Nov. 3, citing multiple sources. The move disrupts SK hynix's plan to fund a $45 billion New York state chip plant with revenue from increased China production, according to Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo. SK hynix's U.S. subsidiary Solidigm is also affected, with its IPO plan halted amid regulatory pressure, Korea Times reported on Oct. 23. Korean media frame the hold as a conflict between U.S. investment ambitions and China-focused semiconductor restrictions, with Business Korea noting the equipment is for capacity expansion at the Dalian facility.