Skip to Content
Policy

Trump is reportedly preparing new ways to block China’s interest in American tech

The White House may introduce new measures this week to make it harder for China to import to, and invest in, the US.

The news:  The Wall Street Journal says America will introduce “tariffs on imports [aimed at China] worth at least $30 billion” tomorrow. It may also propose “possible investment restrictions” on Chinese firms looking to acquire stakes in US companies.

Backstory: Rumors have swirled that Trump will extend tariffs to new goods, including consumer electronics. And since the US government nixed several high-profile tech buyouts over national security concerns—including Broadcom’s bid for Qualcomm—lawmakers have reportedly been mulling how best to clamp down on Chinese acquisitions of US firms.

Why it matters: The Journal says the Trump administration sees Chinese investments in US tech as a means through which the nation acquires intellectual property—to use for defense applications, or to edge forward as a tech power. The new measures would be intended to curb that practice. But as Gadfly has noted, they could harm the success of US tech firms, as well as heightening already-tense international relations.

Deep Dive

Policy

Is there anything more fascinating than a hidden world?

Some hidden worlds--whether in space, deep in the ocean, or in the form of waves or microbes--remain stubbornly unseen. Here's how technology is being used to reveal them.

Africa’s push to regulate AI starts now        

AI is expanding across the continent and new policies are taking shape. But poor digital infrastructure and regulatory bottlenecks could slow adoption.

Yes, remote learning can work for preschoolers

The largest-ever humanitarian intervention in early childhood education shows that remote learning can produce results comparable to a year of in-person teaching.

Stay connected

Illustration by Rose Wong

Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review

Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.

Thank you for submitting your email!

Explore more newsletters

It looks like something went wrong.

We’re having trouble saving your preferences. Try refreshing this page and updating them one more time. If you continue to get this message, reach out to us at customer-service@technologyreview.com with a list of newsletters you’d like to receive.