Apple is among eight American companies that can now bring advanced computer chips, servers and other controlled technology to the United Arab Emirates without applying for individual export licenses. Here’s what that means.
Obstacles to UAE exports removed
How he saw it ReutersThe U.S. Department of Commerce is relaxing export restrictions for the United Arab Emirates, giving approved companies easier access to certain advanced computer hardware and other controlled technologies.
From the final rule, presented for public inspection ahead of its July 14 publication in the Federal Register, where STA stands for Strategic Trade Authorization:
“Certain US-based artificial intelligence companies and their UAE-based affiliates (…) may, as specified, receive advanced computing elements without a license (…) and receive all other eligible elements pursuant to full use of the STA license exception.”
Apple is one of eight US-based companies covered by the new rule, along with Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle and xAI. The authorization covers “advanced computer elements” regulated by sections 742.6(a)(6)(iii)(A)-(B) of the Export Administration Regulations.
Simply put, these rules govern when companies need U.S. approval to export, re-export, or transfer covered chips, servers, and other advanced computing systems containing them, as well as designated software and technology. They also explain who ultimately receives and uses those items and for what purpose.
Under the new rule, Apple and its subsidiaries (along with the other companies mentioned in the document) can receive covered chips, servers, software and advanced computing technology in their operations in the UAE without applying for individual licenses, as long as they are approved recipients and end users.
Whether and how Apple will take advantage of the new authorization remains to be seen, although data center infrastructure would be the most obvious use case.
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