The United States revamped its decades-old science and technology agreement with China, which reflects the growing tensions in the global tech race. Signed on Friday after months of negotiations, the revised agreement limits the scope of cooperation and introduces stronger safeguards to protect U.S. national security interests.
New Focus on Basic Research and Security Measures
Recently, the U.S. Department of State explained that the updated agreement focuses solely on basic scientific research. It excludes areas related to critical technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, which are seen as essential to both military strength and economic power. The agreement includes provisions that enhance protections for intellectual property and researchers while promoting transparency and data reciprocity.
It is worth to mention that the original agreement, signed in 1979, was created when China was far behind the U.S. in science and technology. The last major update took place in 2018, and the agreement was extended temporarily in 2023 and 2024 to allow for further negotiations. With China’s rise as a global technology powerhouse, the U.S. saw the need to revise the agreement to reflect the new realities of their relationship.
Escalating Tech Rivalry and Security Concerns
As tensions have escalated, the U.S. placed restrictions on exports of advanced semiconductor technology to China and limited investments in key tech sectors that could enhance China’s military capabilities.
Additionally, the U.S. tightened cooperation in research and higher education institutions due to concerns over Chinese espionage. A program initiated under the Trump administration aimed at preventing such risks ended in 2022 after facing legal challenges and accusations of racial profiling.
Deborah Seligsohn, a professor of political science at Villanova University, suggested that the updated agreement will likely reduce government-to-government collaboration but will still allow for cooperation under tighter security measures.
Mixed Reactions from U.S. Lawmakers
U.S. lawmakers have had differing opinions on the agreement’s impact. Representative Andy Barr, a Republican from Kentucky, criticized the decades of U.S.-China cooperation and argues that the U.S. had given away too much scientific and technical expertise to China.
Conversely, Representative Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York, defended the benefits of U.S.-China research collaborations, such as advancements in health, environmental protection, and understanding Earth’s history. However, he called for more Congressional oversight to ensure that projects under the agreement align with American territory interests and values.
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