# US-China tech and biotech rivalry

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-china-tech-and-biotech-rivalry
> Updated: 2026-07-30T01:18:35.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 3.

In mid‑July 2026 U.S. congressional leaders convened a round‑table on the strategic competition with China in technology and pharmaceuticals, warning of systemic threats to critical supply chains and introducing bipartisan measures such as the “Silicon Shield” expansion and a Senate bill to increase oversight of Chinese investment in biotech. A week later the House advanced the Biotech Investment National Security Act, subjecting licensing agreements with Chinese firms to national‑security review and urging a 100 % tariff on imported medicines.

By the end of July, U.S. officials intensified scrutiny of foreign biotech investments as China’s role as an R&D partner grew. Executive Director John Stanford highlighted concerns over domestic API production, clinical‑trial competitiveness and the ethics of licensing Chinese innovations, and a bipartisan effort sought to place biotech on the Treasury’s outbound‑investment screening list. Licensing deals between U.S. and Chinese biotech firms reached $43 billion in the first five months of 2026. The Department of Defense added WuXi AppTec to a “Chinese military companies” list, potentially restricting its access to U.S. government contracts under the BIOSECURE Act; WuXi disputed the designation and began divesting U.S. and U.K. assets. At ASCO 2026, China’s Akeso presented ivonescimab, the first therapy derived solely from a Chinese clinical trial, underscoring Beijing’s move toward advanced, globally competitive therapies and further fueling U.S. security‑focused policy responses.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-30: US-China biotech investment security debate intensifies

U.S. policymakers are tightening review of biotech investments amid China’s growing R&D role, citing supply‑chain, trial, and licensing risks; WuXi AppTec faces a U.S. military‑company label while Chinese firms

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-china-biotech-investment-security-debate-intensifies

### 2026-07-24: US pushes biotech licensing reviews as China narrows the patent gap

US lawmakers propose a national‑security review of biotech licensing with China amid a looming patent cliff, citing new pancreatic‑cancer drug breakthroughs and existing protectionist measures.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-pushes-biotech-licensing-reviews-as-china-narrows-the-patent-gap

### 2026-07-14: US lawmakers push measures to curb China's tech and pharmaceutical influence

US Congress urges tighter tech safeguards against China and Senate proposes a bill to monitor Chinese investment in pharmaceuticals, citing supply‑chain vulnerabilities.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-lawmakers-push-measures-to-curb-chinas-tech-and-pharmaceutical-influence

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Cite as: US-China tech and biotech rivalry. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-china-tech-and-biotech-rivalry
