The US has relaxed export controls on advanced chip design software sold to China, according to major tech firms like Siemens, Synopsys, and Cadence. This means these companies no longer need special government approval to sell their electronic design automation (EDA) tools to Chinese customers—a move that hints at a slight thaw in tech trade tensions between the two nations.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about software—it’s a small but telling shift in the high-stakes tech cold war between the US and China. EDA tools are critical for designing cutting-edge chips, so loosening restrictions could ease pressure on China’s semiconductor industry while giving American firms access to a lucrative market. But don’t mistake it for détente: it’s likely a tactical adjustment, not a full retreat from tech competition.