Numerous chipset foundries, TSMC included, use equipment from US-based firms to make their products. Now, the same nation's current administration may be able to leverage this fact in order to stop the supply of silicon to Huawei. This, apparently, is a new tactic to lock the OEM out of the US market.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Huawei-faces-chip-supply-disruptions-in-new-trade-war-related-twist.454283.0.html
The US doesn't need this to keep Huawei out of the US market, merely banning all subsidies to Huawei and its clients from the likes of China Development Bank in the next phase of the trade deal would be enough to level the playing field and all but negate Huawei's price advantage needed for its dumping tactics, not only to the US but to its cash-strapped customers in Africa and Eastern Europe, who rely heavily on the financial incentives from the CCP that come along with Huawei sales.
I suspect floating around such information is merely the means to increase the leverage needed to ban such subsidies.