In a significant development for U.S.-China trade agreement, the U.S. has lifted some export controls on chip design software sales in China, previously imposed in May, that required licenses for certain tools and chemicals.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has lifted restrictions on exports of chip design software to China, as Washington and Beijing work to dial down hostilities as part of a recent trade agreement.

The United States has lifted restrictions on exports to China for chip design software developers and ethane producers, a further sign of de-escalating U.S.-Sino trade tensions including concessions from Beijing over rare earths.