Since the era of Donald TrumpUS technology policy towards China has been marked by a series of restrictive measures targeting Chinese companies. Huawei, the telecommunications giant, was particularly affected by these actions. The restrictions imposed have had a major impact on its business operations, including limited access to essential US technologies, which has slowed its global expansion and weakened its position in the international market.
Today, a new target is emerging in the sights of American legislators: DJI, the world leader in civil drones. According to recent information from the New York Times, legislative proposals are being developed to force DJI to withdraw from the American market. This initiative echoes the ongoing technological war between the United States and Chinareflecting an expansion of efforts to limit Chinese technological influence to UNITED STATES.
The U.S. Chamber of Energy and Commerce is seriously considering adding DJI to the list of equipment prohibited by the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. This list, overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)already includes other major Chinese companies like ZTE and operators China Telecom And China Unicomin addition to Huawei.
The main concern of the American authorities rests on national security, affirming that DJI presents “ an unacceptable risk”. Under the Countering CCP Drones Act, the government has the authority to block the introduction of new DJI products into the U.S. market and revoke authorizations previously granted to the company. The representative Elise Stefanik pointed out that DJI would have collected data on American critical infrastructure, which the firm strongly denies.
At the same time, the president Joe Biden signed legislation seeking a nationwide ban on TikTok, another influential Chinese tech company. This law gives ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, 270 days to sell the app. If it fails, TikTok would be removed from US app stores and internet hosting services, limiting access to and interaction with its content. TikTok announced its intention to challenge the decision in court, claiming that the measure would be unconstitutional.
In conclusion, these recent developments demonstrate the continued escalation of tensions between the United States and China in the area of technology. The implications of these policies are not only commercial but also geopolitical, affecting the dynamics of international relations and the global technological landscape. The challenges ahead are likely to be numerous, both for Chinese companies and for American domestic politics.
