Republican senators urge Biden to end science agreement with China, citing national security risks.

At a Glance

• Republican senators demand termination of U.S.-China science and technology agreement
• Agreement recently extended for five years, raising concerns about timing
• Senators argue cooperation with China risks American research being co-opted
• State Department claims new agreement has narrower scope and safeguards
• Critics warn ending partnership could disadvantage U.S. interests

Republican Senators Call for End to U.S.-China Science Agreement

A group of Republican senators, led by Sen. Jim Risch, is urging the Biden administration to revoke a long-standing science and technology agreement with China. The senators argue that the agreement, which was recently renewed for five more years, poses significant risks to national security and the protection of American intellectual property.

The agreement, originally signed in 1979 as part of establishing diplomatic relations with China, was intended to counter Soviet influence. However, the senators now contend that cooperation with China is outdated and potentially harmful to U.S. interests.

Concerns Over Timing and National Security

The renewal of the agreement just before President Biden leaves office has raised eyebrows among Republican senators. They argue that this timing potentially denies the incoming administration an opportunity to review the agreement thoroughly. Senators John Barrasso, Pete Ricketts, Todd Young, and Bill Hagerty joined Sen. Risch in signing a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing their concerns.

The senators’ primary concern is that the agreement could provide opportunities for Chinese influence over American technological developments, potentially compromising U.S. research autonomy. They argue that the current geopolitical landscape and China’s technological advancements make such cooperation risky for American interests.

State Department’s Response and Safeguards

In response to these concerns, the State Department has claimed that the new agreement has a narrower scope and includes safeguards to protect U.S. interests. According to the department, the revised agreement focuses only on basic research and incorporates guardrails to prevent the misuse of shared knowledge.

However, Republican senators remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures. They express concerns that even with the stated safeguards, the agreement may not sufficiently protect intellectual property or prevent unauthorized knowledge transfer to China.

Debate Over Potential Benefits and Risks

While the Republican senators advocate for ending the agreement, some experts argue that maintaining scientific cooperation with China could be beneficial for the United States. Deborah Seligsohn, a political science professor, suggests that the U.S. now stands to gain more from collaboration with China’s advanced scientific community than in previous decades.

“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.

The debate highlights the complex balance between fostering international scientific cooperation and safeguarding national interests. As tensions between the U.S. and China continue to evolve, the future of this long-standing agreement remains uncertain, with potential implications for both countries’ scientific communities and broader diplomatic relations.