WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lawmakers in the United States raised concerns regarding the Biden administration’s handling of Chinese tech giant Huawei, following the company’s recent launch of a laptop powered by an Intel AI chip. Huawei, which was placed on a trade restriction list in 2019 for violating Iran sanctions, has faced scrutiny as part of the U.S. government’s efforts to limit China’s technological progress.
The Trump administration previously issued a license allowing Intel to supply central processors to Huawei for use in laptops, a decision that drew criticism from those advocating for a tougher stance against the Chinese company. With the license set to expire later this year, the unveiling of Huawei’s MateBook X Pro laptop, equipped with Intel’s new Core Ultra 9 processor, reignited debates over the Commerce Department’s approval of such shipments.
Republican Congressman Michael Gallagher, chairman of the House select committee on China, expressed bewilderment over the continued allowance of U.S. technology to be sent to Huawei. Despite growing pressure on the Biden administration to curtail Huawei’s advancements, a source familiar with the matter revealed that the AI chips were shipped under an existing license, circumventing recent restrictions on AI chip exports to China.
During a Senate subcommittee hearing, export enforcement official Kevin Kurland highlighted the significant impact of Washington’s restrictions on Huawei’s access to U.S. technology. While emphasizing the goal of preventing Huawei from misusing U.S. technology for nefarious purposes, Kurland’s remarks did little to assuage concerns among Republican lawmakers who have long been critical of China’s technological ambitions.
Congressman Michael McCaul reiterated the need to halt approvals for shipments to Huawei, citing promises made two years ago regarding the cessation of such licenses. The ongoing tensions surrounding Huawei’s latest technological developments underscore the complex dynamics between the U.S. government and Chinese tech companies in the ongoing battle for technological supremacy.
As Huawei continues to push the boundaries of technological innovation, the pressure on the Biden administration to address concerns over U.S. technology reaching the company remains a focal point in the ongoing debate over national security and economic interests. The delicate balance between enabling technological progress and safeguarding against potential threats from foreign entities underscores the challenges facing policymakers in navigating the complexities of global competition in the tech sector.