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| Trump Blocks HieFo’s Acquisition of Emcore Assets Over National Security and China Concerns |
President Donald Trump has prohibited U.S. photonics firm HieFo Corp from completing its $3 million acquisition of assets from New Jersey-based Emcore, citing national security and China-related risks. The move underscores ongoing U.S. scrutiny of foreign-linked transactions in sensitive technology sectors. This decision directly reflects the administration’s firm stance on deals involving potential Chinese influence—making Trump blocks chips deal a key development in U.S. tech policy.
HieFo, reportedly controlled by a Chinese citizen, acquired Emcore’s chips business and indium-phosphide wafer operations in 2024. The White House order, issued January 2, 2026, mandates HieFo to divest all interests in the Emcore assets within 180 days. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) flagged national security concerns, though specific details were not disclosed.
Emcore, once publicly traded and now private, confirmed the asset sale value at $2.92 million. HieFo was co-founded by former Emcore executives Genzao Zhang and Harry Moore. Neither company responded immediately to requests for comment following the presidential order.
The action reaffirms the U.S. government’s heightened vigilance over semiconductor-related transactions with foreign ties. As geopolitical tensions persist, Trump blocks chips deal signals continued restrictions on deals that could compromise critical technology infrastructure.
