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.
More Chinese attacks on US Chips Act, although Beijing has few countermeasures
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.
03:13
Xi warns Biden that US ‘playing with fire’ as tensions soar over Pelosi’s proposed Taiwan visit
US companies are under increasing government scrutiny over what they sell to China, whose electronics factories and consumers make it the biggest buyer of chips. Washington has been tightening restrictions on sales to the country, arguing that it represents a security risk.
The executive order, according to some of the people, is intended to address some of the concerns contemplated in the National Critical Capabilities Defense Act introduced by Senators John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, and Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat.
The people familiar with the administration discussions described them on condition of anonymity because no decision has been made. Semafor reported earlier on plans for an executive order.
China’s top chip maker said to reach tech level on par with global giants
Recent steps have indicated that the administration is leaning toward a more hawkish stance of banning Chinese access to whole swaths of technology.
Venture capital investment in Chinese tech start-ups, both in total dollars and deals, has increased steadily since 2019. Those investments hit US$118 billion last year – the second highest on record, according to data firm PitchBook, with US based venture investors participating in roughly a quarter of those deals.
Wariness about Chinese technology giants has arisen in many countries. For instance, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has pledged to crack down on companies including TikTok during a recent head-to-head debate with Rishi Sunak as part of their campaign to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister.
