Defense and National Security

Certain Chinese companies obscure their ownership and strategic intent in the U.S. economy, gaining access to markets, talent, intellectual property, and subsidies. These practices advance China’s industrial and military goals and necessitate stronger oversight measures.

China’s campaign of economic espionage against the United States spans cyber intrusions, insider theft, and technology transfer disguised as collaboration. Washington must recognize that Beijing is operating an elaborate espionage ecosystem and take strategic measures to disrupt it.

Democratic allies should co-invest, co-develop, and co-regulate emerging technologies instead of fragmenting digital markets. True leadership will come from joint strategies on export controls, standards, R&D, and talent—not sovereignty slogans.

America’s wireless future depends on efficient spectrum use—and unlocking more federal airwaves for commercial innovation will strengthen both the economy and national security.

The collapse of a UK espionage case against alleged Chinese spies highlights Britain’s refusal to call China a security threat, exposing a dangerous weakness driven by economic dependence.

Watch ITIF’s expert panel discussion with leaders from the Council on Global Competitiveness and Innovation (CGCI) and Shield Capital as they examined the vital role Big Tech plays in U.S. technology leadership and national security.

It should be clear to everyone that unless Western, democratic, market-based economies start working together instead of against each other, China will dominate.

The Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act is a timely and necessary response to the growing threat posed by state-sponsored cyber actors, particularly from China, but Congress should further refine it to truly future-proof the nation’s cybersecurity posture.

South Korea must reduce its reliance on China for both semiconductor exports and raw materials by strengthening alliances with the United States and its partners, aligning with export controls, and building a more secure, diversified supply chain to safeguard its long-term competitiveness in the global chip race.

Policymakers seeking to rein in or break up market-leading tech firms should consider a more balanced approach that recognizes the crucial role they play in strengthening America in its intensifying economic and geopolitical competition with China.