Republican senators demand an end to US-China science cooperation, citing national security risks.
At a Glance
- Republican senators urge Biden administration to revoke science and technology pact with China
- Agreement was recently renewed for five years, raising concerns about American research independence
- Senators argue the cooperation is outdated and risks co-opting US research
- State Department claims new agreement has narrower scope and improved safeguards
- Experts warn ending cooperation could limit US access to China’s research strengths
Republican Senators Call for End to US-China Science Pact
A group of Republican senators, led by Sen. Jim Risch, is pressing the Biden administration to terminate a longstanding science and technology agreement with China. The senators argue that the pact, which has been in place since 1979, poses significant risks to American national security and intellectual property protection.
The agreement, recently extended for another five years, was originally designed to foster bilateral cooperation and counter Soviet influence. However, the senators now contend that it could compromise US research independence and dilute American innovation. This renewal comes just before President Biden leaves office, potentially denying the incoming administration an opportunity to review its terms.
Concerns Over National Security and Intellectual Property
The letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, signed by Senators John Barrasso, Pete Ricketts, Todd Young, and Bill Hagerty, expresses deep concerns about the potential risks of continued scientific collaboration with China. These lawmakers argue that the cooperation is outdated and could lead to the co-opting of American research by Chinese interests.
Despite these concerns, some experts, like political science professor Deborah Seligsohn, argue that the United States stands to benefit more from cooperation with China now than in the past. This perspective highlights the complex nature of international scientific collaboration in an era of increasing geopolitical tension.
“The irony is that as China has become our peer, we have so much more to gain from working with Chinese science than we did in earlier eras, and yet at this moment, when we have the most to gain, there is a demand that we shut the door,” said Seligsohn.
State Department’s Response and Safeguards
In response to the mounting criticism, the State Department has asserted that the new agreement incorporates improved protective measures. According to their statement, the renewed pact has a narrower scope, focusing only on basic research, and includes guardrails to safeguard US interests. However, the Republican senators remain skeptical about the adequacy of these measures in protecting intellectual property and preventing unauthorized knowledge transfer.
The State Department has not yet commented directly on the letter from the senators, leaving questions about the future of the agreement unanswered. As the debate continues, it underscores the delicate balance between international scientific cooperation and national security concerns in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
