Newly elected members of the U.S. Congress pose for a group photo on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S., on November 15, 2024.
Hannah McKay | Reuters
Congress will vote in the coming days on legislation to limit U.S. investment in China as part of a bill to fund government operations through mid-March, lawmakers said late Tuesday.
In October, the Treasury Department finalized rules that will take effect on January 2 to limit U.S. investment in Chinese artificial intelligence and other technologies that may threaten U.S. national security.
The bill expands those restrictions and includes other provisions aimed at allaying concerns about China, including requiring a study of the national security risks posed by Chinese-made consumer routers and modems and requiring scrutiny of Chinese purchases near other national security-sensitive locations. of real estate for review.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington had no immediate comment.
The bill also requires the FCC to publish a list of all entities that hold FCC licenses or authorizations with ownership rights from hostile foreign governments, including China, to ensure the commission “knows when telecommunications and technology companies have ties to foreign adversaries.” “
Lawmakers have criticized major U.S. index providers for directing billions of U.S. investors’ money into shares of Chinese companies that the U.S. believes are promoting China’s military development.
The Treasury Department’s rules and legislation, which cover semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technology and certain artificial intelligence systems, are designed to block investment in Chinese technologies such as cutting-edge code-breaking computer systems or next-generation fighter jets.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said: “For years, I have seen dollars and intellectual property rights advance the Chinese Communist Party’s technology and capabilities… This legislation builds on what Biden enacted this year. regulations.” Administration and lays the foundation for continued bipartisan efforts to protect and rebuild our critical national capabilities. “
The outbound legislation covers technologies listed in the Treasury order and adds other artificial intelligence models using certain semiconductors, artificial intelligence systems designed for military or government surveillance end uses, hypersonic systems and other export-controlled technologies.
About The Author
