WASHINGTON – With the days in power numbered, the Trump administration’s Commerce Department advanced rules Thursday to allow the United States to block acquisitions of communications technology from China and five other countries considered foreign adversaries.
The rules will not take effect for 60 days, leaving a decision on how and whether to continue the effort to the administration of President-elect Joe Biden. Mr Biden’s advisers have said they intend to limit US dependence on Chinese technology, but the upcoming team has not set specific policies.
“The rules are reasonable,” said a senior administration official, who added that he believed the new administration “will see their need.” A Biden spokesman declined to comment.
Along with China, Trade has called Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba and the Maduro government in Venezuela foreign opponents. Shipments of hardware, software and other communications equipment from those countries could be blocked under the new rules as a national security risk.
Under the proposal, Trade would have 180 days to decide whether to allow sales or require changes to a transaction.