Republicans in Congress are raising alarms over the Biden administration’s quiet efforts to renew a long-standing science and technology agreement with China, arguing that the deal could undermine U.S. national security. The U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement, which expired in August 2024, is currently under renegotiation, sparking a fierce debate over the risks and benefits of renewing it.
The agreement, first signed in 1979, was originally intended to foster collaboration between American and Chinese scientists. However, critics now argue that it has allowed China to steal sensitive U.S. technologies and strengthen its military capabilities. The deal has come under increasing scrutiny, especially as China has made significant technological advances in areas such as artificial intelligence, hypersonic weapons, and semiconductors.
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), who chairs the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition, strongly opposes renewing the pact. He warned that the deal has facilitated China’s military modernization and should be permanently scrapped. “This collaboration directly facilitates [China’s] military modernization,” Moolenaar said, calling for Congress to end the agreement.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has defended the potential renewal, stating that it seeks to protect U.S. interests while advancing science and technology. However, the administration’s position is being met with growing resistance from Republicans, who recently passed a bill that would increase oversight on any future agreements with China.
The debate reflects broader tensions in U.S.-China relations, as both countries grapple with competition in key technological areas. As negotiations continue, the future of scientific collaboration between the world’s two largest economies remains uncertain.
