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US-China tech war
TechBig Tech

Tech to remain a tug-of-war between China and US in 2021 with Biden seen roping in allies to challenge Beijing on chips, apps, 5G and AI

  • Analysts expect Joe Biden to adopt a multilateral approach to dealing with China when it comes to pushing back on trade and tech
  • Beijing’s draft antitrust laws are aimed at reining in all internet-based monopolies, signalling heightened concern at their growing power

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Photo taken on Jan. 15, 2020 shows a burger robot, dessert robot and frying robot serving at a smart restaurant in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Photo: Xinhua
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If 2020 was tumultuous for China’s tech sector, 2021 could be revolutionary. China will likely remain the global test bed for 5G services as network roll-out proceeds rapidly. It should also retain pole-position in the race for the world’s first sovereign digital currency. Achieving self-sufficiency in semiconductors will remain a work-in-progress though and tech investors may have some sleepless nights until the ramifications of Beijing’s new antitrust laws are clear.

Clash of the Titans 2

Those hoping that the US-China tech war would follow the Donald Trump administration into the ash heap of history will be disappointed. The battle will continue although the tactics employed will likely change under a Joe Biden presidency, according to analysts the Post spoke to.

“The two countries will remain locked in a strategic competition for economic and technological dominance because [the idea of] being competitors rather than partners is now firmly held in both Beijing and Washington,” said Agathe Demarais, UK-based global forecasting director at The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Analysts expect Biden to adopt a multilateral approach to dealing with China – breaking with Trump’s “America First” approach. Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, has already called for “early consultation with our European partners on our common concerns about China’s economic practices” in relation to the proposed China-EU investment accord.

Expect more collaboration between the US and its traditional allies in relation to China on a range of issues, including human rights, intellectual property protection, semiconductor development, 5G network roll-outs and last but not least – data privacy.

US President-elect Joe Biden. will take on China over tech. Photo: Reuters
US President-elect Joe Biden. will take on China over tech. Photo: Reuters
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