US Tech List Shapes Global Standards Access

The U.S. government's identification of sensitive technologies is increasingly shaping the global landscape for technical standards, with the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) rolling out expanded export controls. In September 2024, BIS introduced new rules targeting quantum computing, advanced semiconductor manufacturing, and other emerging technologies, aiming to prevent their acquisition by nations deemed a national security threat, including China. These controls extend to deemed exports and reexports of related software and technology. This follows a pattern of heightened scrutiny. In May 2024, the Commerce Department added 22 Chinese organizations involved in quantum technology to its export control "entity list." The Biden administration has added a total of 355 Chinese entities to this list, more than any previous administration, signaling a sustained effort to safeguard sensitive technological advancements. These actions are part of a broader strategy to prevent technologies like quantum computing and AI from being used for military applications that could destabilize security. In response to industry concerns about these restrictions hindering U.S. leadership in standards development, the Commerce Department has made several clarifications. A rule issued in July 2024 eases the ability of U.S. companies to participate in international standards bodies, even with the presence of restricted foreign entities. This ensures that U.S. technical contributions can continue to shape global standards for critical and emerging technologies. The geopolitical competition extends beyond export controls and into the very architecture of future technologies like 6G. Both the U.S. and China are vying to influence the development of these standards, which will have significant economic and security implications. This rivalry is also impacting the realm of standards-essential patents (SEPs), with China making significant gains in wireless and video patents, thereby increasing its influence in the global standards ecosystem. Faced with these restrictions, Chinese technology companies are adapting and, in some cases, accelerating their innovation. Despite being cut off from advanced chips, some Chinese AI firms are developing alternative training methods that are less reliant on cutting-edge hardware. This has led to the emergence of competitive AI models from China, challenging the assumption that access to the most advanced semiconductors is the only path to AI leadership. The U.S. has also taken steps to limit American investment in the Chinese technology sector. In October 2024, the Treasury Department finalized a rule prohibiting certain U.S. investments in Chinese companies involved in semiconductors, quantum information technologies, and AI systems with potential military, intelligence, or surveillance applications. This measure is designed to prevent U.S. capital and expertise from contributing to the development of technologies that could be used to undermine American security. This strategic rivalry is evident within key international standards bodies. At the inaugural meeting of the ISO/IEC joint subcommittee for AI standards (JTC1/SC42), which was hosted in Beijing, China presented its initial AI standards outline, signaling its ambition to shape the global rules for this critical technology. The U.S. and its allies are also actively working to establish shared principles for the development of 6G, aiming to counter China's growing influence. The long-term consequences of this tech rivalry remain to be seen, but it is clear that the development of international standards is no longer a purely technical exercise. The intersection of technology, economics, and national security is creating a new and complex environment for global cooperation and competition.