Republican lawmakers are criticizing the Biden administration for not effectively enforcing restrictions on China’s access to American technology. They claim that the administration is still allowing the flow of semiconductors and other American innovation to Beijing, which could potentially assist China in a military conflict.
According to a report released by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the administration has failed to enforce export controls that limit the sale of advanced technology to China. While the federal government has been increasing limits on sales to China over the past few years, Republican lawmakers argue that more needs to be done to enforce these rules.
The report specifically criticizes the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security for being too closely tied to the technology industries it regulates. Many tech companies sell products and services to China and have been advocating for more lenient rules in order to maintain access to the Chinese market.
In response, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Industry and Security stated that the Biden administration has been expanding the restrictions thoughtfully and vigorously. They added that the department constantly assesses and updates its export controls.
Gina Raimondo, the secretary of commerce, emphasized the need for increased funding to complete the mission of enforcing restrictions on China. However, some Republican lawmakers have stated that they will only support funding increases if the department implements additional sanctions on Chinese companies like Huawei.
The congressional report recommends various changes, including giving Defense Department officials more authority in approving special licenses for technology export to China.
The Biden administration recently restricted the export of certain semiconductors and manufacturing equipment to China. However, critics argue that the administration has not done enough to restrain advanced Chinese firms like Huawei.
The fight over the Bureau of Industry and Security has intensified as its responsibilities have grown. The bureau is responsible for preventing American technology from reaching adversarial countries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
Gregory Allen, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, highlighted the need for a robust capacity in export controls to protect national security.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee plans to craft legislation and seek bipartisan support for the recommended changes. They will also hold a hearing with Biden administration officials overseeing export controls.
It is worth noting that the Biden administration removed certain restrictions on China to secure an agreement on fentanyl, which some state department officials believed would save American lives.
The demands on the Bureau of Industry and Security have increased significantly in recent years, leading to calls for increased funding and modernization of its technology and databases.