On July 2, 2025 (local time), Siemens AG confirmed it had received official notice from the U.S. government lifting export restrictions on chip design software to China. The German company has since restored full access to its software and technologies for Chinese customers.

This marks a major policy reversal. Just weeks earlier, Siemens, along with U.S.-based Synopsys and Cadence—three of the world's leading providers of electronic design automation (EDA) software—had been directed by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to halt shipments and revoke export licenses for Chinese clients. The restrictions had primarily targeted design tools used for chips at 10nm and below, which are crucial for advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

The initial move was seen as a significant setback for China's semiconductor design sector, which heavily relies on advanced EDA tools from these global suppliers. Collectively, Synopsys, Cadence, and Siemens EDA account for an estimated 70–80% of the global EDA software market and play a central role in cutting-edge chip development.

Synopsys confirmed on July 2 that BIS had rescinded the May 29 restrictions and that it is now working to restore product access in China. Cadence also announced it received similar notice and is resuming customer access and technical support for its core platforms, including Virtuoso, Spectre, and Allegro. Access restoration includes software subscriptions, license renewals, cloud synchronization, and collaboration platforms.

These rollbacks coincide with recent reports of a broader U.S.-China agreement aimed at easing trade barriers on key technologies. While neither government has officially confirmed the deal's scope, the lifting of EDA restrictions signals a tentative thaw in tech-related tensions.

Despite the policy shift, industry observers note that the global semiconductor sector remains vulnerable to geopolitical risks and regulatory uncertainty. Whether this easing represents a sustained change in U.S. export policy—or a temporary exception—remains to be seen.