A number of major technology companies have been asked by the US Secretary of Commerce to provide transparency surrounding its US supply chains.

Samsung, TSMC, Intel, Apple, Microsoft, and a number of vehicle makers, were given 45 days to submit information about “chip stockpiles, orders and sales records”, according to Bloomberg.

The aim is to “understand and quantify where bottlenecks may exist,” the White House said.

Not surprisingly, many are unhappy with this demand.

Officials in Seoul have voiced major concerns, with one industry official stating: “It is unprecedented that a government demands such sensitive information considered as trade secrets.

“The demand would be a significant burden on those companies.”