Biden weighs curbs on US investment in China tech and action against TikTok, as new limits on AI chips also considered
- The Biden administration is considering an executive order targeting US investments into Chinese tech companies as part of a broader strategy
- The Commerce Department is also looking at new restrictions on chips for artificial intelligence, adding to limits on semiconductor sales to China
The Biden administration is considering moves that would restrict US investment in Chinese technology companies amid growing tensions between the US and China, according to people familiar with the matter.
The investment curbs taking shape would likely come as an executive order to be signed by President Joe Biden in coming months, one of the people said Friday evening.
At the same time, the White House is in discussions with Congress on legislation requiring companies to disclose beforehand possible investments in certain Chinese industries, another of the people said.
Among options being discussed is the establishment of a system that would give the government the authority to block investments outright, that person said.
The person indicated that the executive order was part of a broader strategy, pointing out that the US had recently curbed sales of semiconductors to China and Russia. Last month, Biden signed into law a broad competition measure that includes about US$52 billion to bolster domestic semiconductor research and development.
The White House declined to comment on Friday night. TikTok representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Commerce Department expects to have an update on steps to protect Americans’ data from foreign-owned apps by the end of the year, the department’s press office said earlier this week.