(Preview) A Memory-Maker Makes History; New Robot Rules; The Open Weights Debate Rages; End of July News and Notes

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with reactions to CXMT’s IPO success this week, including responses from legislators in Washington and the stakes of Apple’s continued lobbying fight to relax restrictions on US companies working with PRC memory firms. Then: The FCC announces rules restricting the import of new, foreign-made robots and power inverters in a move to curb security risks and fuel onshoring. From there: Surveying the ongoing debate over the future of open weights models, including disadvantages facing US-led open source AI efforts, MOFCOM’s statement on distillation and Silicon Valley’s support for Chinese open weights AI, and the risks of building atop PRC AI infrastructure. At the end: Expectations for the July Politburo meeting, news out of Iran that may threaten constructive strategic stability in advance of Xi’s visit to D.C., a bad few weeks for Mercedes, and more clashes between the PRC and the Philippines.

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Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

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@SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube

@Stratechery Channel — YouTube

CXMT IPO; Taxing offshore assets; Fang Xinghai; US-China; AI; Lula supports China-Mercosur deal — Sinocism

Xi meets Slovak president; “Excess capacity” or “Overcapacity”?; CXMT IPO; Overseas Chinese affairs conference; Li Qiang in Tangshan; Chips and AI — Sinocism

Chip Maker Soars 466% on Debut to Become No. 1 in China Stock Market — Wall Street Journal

US lawmakers seek national security probe of Chinese chip giant CXMT after blockbuster IPO: ‘Ticking time bomb’ — New York Post

Trump Caught Between Apple and Micron in Fight Over Chinese Chips — Wall Street Journal

China’s CXMT Is Set to Challenge DRAM Incumbents — SemiAnalysis

Trump administration bans new Chinese humanoid robots, to protect US AI buildout — Reuters

Cover Story: China’s AI-Driven Robotics Boom Faces IPO Reality Check — Caixin

Post by Peter Harrell — X: @petereharrell

Spokesperson Responds to US Claims It Plans to Investigate and Sanction Chinese AI Companies — Xinhua (Sinocism Translation)

Mark Zuckerberg says US should not ban Chinese AI — Financial Times

Chinese AI Startup Moonshot Seeks More Nvidia Blackwell Chips for Next Model — The Information

Taiwan Says It Worked With US to Bust High-End Chip Smuggling — Bloomberg

The Hidden Cost of China’s Free A.I. — New York Times

Iran to get Chinese shoulder-launched missile systems in weeks, sources say — Reuters

China in touch with Yemen’s Houthis to allow ships to sail through Red Sea, sources say — Reuters

Mercedes risks US sales ban under Senate China bill — Financial Times

China coast guard uses water cannons on 2 Philippine vessels as top diplomats meet in Manila — Associated Press

Philippines accuses Chinese coast guard of injuring Filipino sailor in disputed shoal — Associated Press

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Remarks to the Press — U.S. Department of State