The US Department of Commerce has drafted plans to revoke authorizations granted to global chipmakers over their operations in China.

The potential move would make it challenging for Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC to use US goods and technology at the Chinese factories, making overall operations difficult. Shares in the companies fell on the reports.

Reuters reports that the revocation is a fallback plan should wider US-China trade negotiations get worse.

"There is currently no intention of deploying this tactic," a White House official said. "It's another tool we want in our toolbox in case either this agreement falls through or any other catalyst throws a wrench in bilateral relations."

The Wall Street Journal reports that the move could be more likely, and is being pushed by Jeffrey Kessler, head of the unit in charge of export controls at the Commerce Department.

Kessler has already told the three chipmakers that their blanket waivers to import US chipmaking equipment could be canceled.

This would mean that the companies would have to seek case-by-case licenses from the US government, alongside likely looking to seek alternative equipment from Europe and Japan.

The move is not guaranteed, with the DoD and other departments concerned that it would boost China's domestic supply chains over a longer time period.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration aggressively increased tariffs on China, leading to tit-for-tat increases until a May truce.

As part of China's retaliation, it limited export of rare-Earth elements, causing factories in the US to warn they would soon have to stop production. China this month resumed shipments in return for the US dropping plans to revoke Chinese student visas.

This month, Trump said that a trade deal with China was done, "subject to final approval" by him and China's President Xi Jinping.

A maximum of 55 percent tariffs on China will remain, while China will maintain a 10 percent tariff on US goods. Part of the deal includes a promise to hold off on new tariffs or export controls.