If $\mathfrak S$ denotes the set of all non-zero C$^*$-algebras (up to $*$-isomorphism) of some bounded cardinality, for instance separable, then $(\mathfrak S, \otimes_\textrm{min})$ and $(\mathfrak S, \otimes_\textrm{max})$ are abelian semigroups with identity element $\mathbb C$ (or commutative monoids if you prefer that language) since both tensor products are commutative and associative. > **Question 1:** Is there any cancellation in these semigroups? Does there exist $\mathcal C\in \mathfrak S$ not isomorphic to $\mathbb C$ such that for all $A,B\in \mathfrak S$ we have $$ \mathcal A \otimes_\textrm{min} \mathcal C \simeq \mathcal B\otimes_\textrm{min} \mathcal C \Rightarrow \mathcal A \simeq \mathcal B $$ or the similar statement with $\otimes_\textrm{max}$? One could start by asking the following: > **Question 2:** Let $\mathcal A,\mathcal B$ be C$^*$-algebras such that for all C$^*$-algebras $\mathcal C$ non-isomorphic to $\mathbb C$ $$\mathcal A\otimes_\textrm{min} \mathcal C \simeq \mathcal B\otimes_\textrm{min} \mathcal C $$ Does this imply $\mathcal A\simeq \mathcal B$? This second question is an extension of [this question][1]. [1]: http://mathoverflow.net/questions/213011/c-algebras-isomorphic-after-tensoring-with-m-n-mathbb-c