Huawei’s ability to manufacturer its own chips is reportedly in jeopardy, following a leaked memo its licensed vendor ARM is halting supply, amid the latest US ban.

Despite being owned by Japanese conglomerate SoftBank and based in Cambridge, British semiconductor licensor ARM uses some US technology in its designs, and is subject to the ban as well – according to a staff memo seen by the BBC.

The memo claims staff will be held personally liable for violating the trade ban, and should cease any and all interaction with Huawei and its employees.

Huawei pays ARM a license to use the company’s technology in the development of its own in-house chips, which Huawei deploys in its smartphones, 5G base stations and computer servers.

The 90-day reprieve granted to Huawei suppliers by the US doesn’t apply to ARM.