China’s iFlytek Seeks US Trade Ban Exemption to Help Combat Coronavirus

Chinese speech recognition firm iFlytek is hoping to get a U.S. trade ban exemption to acquire medical supplies.

According to Technode, the partially state-backed company is seeking to donate medical supplies in coronavirus-ravaged China and as such, has filed for an exemption at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

iFlytek, along with several other AI firms, were placed on the U.S. trade blacklist late last year, essentially banning them from purchasing any components from American companies.

The firm hopes that the Department of Commerce would provide an exemption “in the spirit of humanitarianism and international cooperation.”

In late January, iFlytek donated RMB10 million and RMB500,000 worth of medical supplies.

Photo: Max Braun