U.S.–China Science and Technology Exclusion: Pressures Building Toward Conflict?

Leaders in both the United States and China claim to have stabilized a relationship that recently seemed headed for open conflict. Yet actions on both sides bely the calming words. In particular, the realm of science and technology—which both sides see as crucial to their own nations’ future power and prosperity—has quietly become a pivotal field of battle as each side restricts the other and jockeys to dominate the key sectors.

What are the flashpoints in the struggle for science and tech preeminence? How did the two countries move so quickly from robust science and tech cooperation to intense competition and damaging exclusion? How might tensions in this realm push toward geopolitical conflict, and what policies are required to limit that danger? Is there a path back to open exchange or is restriction the only prospect?

The Quincy Institute held a conversation with Kendra Schaefer, director of tech policy research and a partner at Trivium China; Denis Simon, non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute and a senior lecturer in the Asian/Pacific Studies Institute at Duke University; and Geoffrey Gertz, a senior fellow in the Energy, Economics & Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Jake Werner, acting director of the East Asia program at the Quincy Institute, moderated the conversation.

[willgates]

The National Security Risk has for the most part being mis-used by the U.S., whenever the U.S. wants to contain or restrict completion from China it uses that large umbrella National Security Risk label, as it’s never clearly defined and allows US to still appear to be the champion of free and fair trade with level playing field, when in fact it is not.

[tomchen]

It is confusing to hear people saying that China discussing the US declining while most works are in English and they were published in English first.
As a Chinese, I do believe this is foolish talk. The fact is, despite what the US government does to China, that the US still leads in most areas. Some US politicians now become panic already, though. They are not fair competitors and employ all the dirty tricks to ensure the US stays the first.

[George-vtxs]

On all of the “threats” pointed out by Gretz, the US’ heart and hands are of course beyond reproach. We just identify and would never consider much less undertake them ourselves against adversaries or allies. Yea sure.

[George-vtxs]

On all of the “threats” pointed out by Gretz, the US’ heart and hands are of course beyond reproach. We just identify and would never consider much less undertake them ourselves against adversaries or allies. Yea sure.