US finalises curbs on investing in Chinese tech

WASHINGTON: The administration of President Joe Biden has finalised curbs on US investments in sensitive technologies like semiconductors in China that pose a threat to national security, the Treasury Department said on Monday (Oct 28).
The new rules, which take effect on Jan 2 next year, will prohibit US-headquartered firms, citizens, and permanent residents from engaging in transactions involving cutting-edge technology like semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum computing, the Treasury announced in a statement.
Investors will also be required to inform the Treasury about investments in some less advanced technologies “that may contribute to the threat to the national security of the United States”, the statement added.
This will include investment in legacy semiconductors, a senior administration official told reporters on Monday.
“Artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and quantum technologies are fundamental to the development of the next generation of military, surveillance, intelligence and certain cybersecurity applications,” Treasury assistant secretary for investment security Paul Rosen said in a statement.
“This final rule takes targeted and concrete measures to ensure that US investment is not exploited to advance the development of key technologies by those who may use them to threaten our national security,” he added.
The rules are the result of an executive order signed by Biden last August aimed at restricting certain US investments in sensitive high-tech areas in China, including in Hong Kong and Macau.
In response, China’s foreign ministry called the executive order an attempt to “engage in anti-globalisation and de-sinicisation”, adding that Beijing was “strongly dissatisfied” and reserved the right to safeguard its interests.