China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2025
The China Technology Transfer Control Act of 2025 would create new, sweeping controls on exporting and transferring certain technology and intellectual property to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The bill defines a category called “covered national interest technology or intellectual property” that includes items that could boost China’s military capabilities, components of products on a U.S. government–defined list tied to trade policy, and technology used by the PRC to commit human rights abuses. Starting 180 days after enactment, the President would regulate (and potentially block) exports or transfers of these items to China. The bill also authorizes sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act against foreign persons or Chinese individuals who knowingly deal in or use such technology in violation of U.S. export controls. Additionally, it would require the creation of a government list of products that receive government support in China or are used to violate human rights, with annual updates, covering industries like semiconductors, AI, robotics, biotech, automotive sectors, and more. The act also directs interagency review to determine whether these controls should fall under ITAR (U.S. military/aerospace controls) or EAR (export controls for dual-use goods) and requires implementing regulations within a set timetable.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a new export/transfer control regime for “covered national interest technology or intellectual property” to China, effective 180 days after enactment, with a companion regulatory framework to be issued within 180 days.
- 2Defines “covered national interest technology or intellectual property” to include: (a) tech that would significantly enhance China’s military potential, (b) tech that is a component of products on the most recent Trade Act of 1974 list identified by the USTR, and (c) tech used by the PRC government to commit human rights abuses.
- 3Creates sanctions authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act against foreign persons or Chinese persons who knowingly deal in or use such technology to violate export controls; clarifies that the importation of goods is generally exempt from these sanctions, with limited exceptions.
- 4Requires the establishment of a List (Sec. 183) of products receiving government support from China or used by China for human rights violations, to be updated annually. The list will include products tied to the Made in China 2025 policy and a broad set of industries (e.g., semiconductors, AI, high-capacity computing, quantum computing, robotics, biotechnology, civil aircraft, turbines, automotive sectors, medical equipment, and more).
- 5Creates a “Sense of Congress” statement emphasizing the need to protect U.S. national security while allowing legitimate cultural and technological exchange, and signaling concern about China’s exploitation of exchange channels for military purposes.