Current U.S.-China relations have witnessed escalating friction over the past decade, with high-ranking officials engaging in dialogues to alleviate tensions.
Washington policymakers are stepping up efforts to stifle Beijing’s technological advancements, citing national security and long-term economic prosperity as justifications for their unwavering stance on the necessity of confronting Beijing. Central to this strategy is the United States’ commitment to impede China’s access to advanced western technology, particularly in the realm of semiconductors. Recent measures have focused on restricting the flow of such technology to China, including successful export restriction agreements with key allies like the Netherlands and Japan.
However, the past year has underscored the limitations of existing restrictions, prompting a call for a more robust and agile approach. The finalized U.S. rules for the control of exports of advanced semiconductors, for instance, were completed a year after their announcement, revealing a need for swifter government processes.
A key vulnerability lies in China’s adept leveraging of open-source semiconductor and AI technologies. While open-source technology is designed to be universally accessible, it becomes problematic in a world marked by geopolitical conflicts and economic frictions. Consequently, urgent action is required to close this open-source gap.
Current U.S.-China relations have witnessed escalating friction over the past decade, with high-ranking officials engaging in dialogues to alleviate tensions. However, the overarching trend points toward increased competition rather than cooperation. The U.S. employs a combination of export controls and public sector investments, exemplified by the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, a $52.7 billion package fueling domestic semiconductor industry growth.
In response, China has strategically evaded U.S. rules and fortified its technology sector with a national strategy based on open-source chip architecture. The recently unveiled China RISC-V Industry Alliance exemplifies this approach, facilitating collaboration among top chip design companies to share patents for the open-source architecture.
Despite these challenges, the U.S. can no longer afford to overlook the issue if it aims to prevent China from dominating artificial intelligence, computing, and military technology. The Biden administration and Congress must confront this threat, with the House Select Committee on China reportedly planning events to discuss penalties for intellectual property theft and ways to boost trade with allies. Their upcoming report is expected to provide a detailed plan addressing the open-source loophole, which risks allowing technology to flow freely to China.
To secure victory in the evolving technology war, the U.S. must take direct and timely policy action. This includes addressing issues related to open-source technology, such as RISC-V, before they escalate further out of control. As the competition between the two technological giants intensifies, safeguarding national interests becomes an imperative task for policymakers in Washington.