H.R. 5022: Balancing U.S. National Security and AI Trade with China

Summary:

Le projet de loi H.R.5022, intitulé « No Advanced Chips for the CCP Act of 2025 », vise à restreindre l’exportation de semi-conducteurs d’IA avancés vers la République populaire de Chine. Ce texte requiert une approbation conjointe du secrétaire au Commerce et du Congrès, après une révision inter-agence axée sur la sécurité nationale et l’impact économique. Des exceptions existent pour les transferts humanitaires et les opérations diplomatiques. La loi cesse de s’appliquer trois ans après son entrée en vigueur.

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The “No Advanced Chips for the CCP Act of 2025,” abbreviated as H.R. 5022, proposes stringent export controls on advanced AI semiconductors to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), with a focus on safeguarding U.S. national security and technological leadership. This draft legislation introduces a multi-layered approval process requiring both executive branch reviews and Congressional approval for such exports.

The legal backdrop for this legislation is rooted in the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA), which grants the U.S. government authority to restrict exports of critical technologies to safeguard national interests. H.R. 5022 is a further refinement of this authority, specifically addressing the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the accompanying hardware that could have dual-use applications—civilian and military. By defining “advanced AI semiconductor” in specific performance metrics, such as processing power and bandwidth, this act targets cutting-edge technology that could significantly advance Chinese military and surveillance capabilities.

From an ethical standpoint, this legislation highlights concerns about enabling human rights abuses. China’s AI capabilities are often linked to mass surveillance systems, such as those tracking Uyghur populations in Xinjiang. Restrictions on AI semiconductor exports could impede Beijing’s ability to enhance these systems, addressing ethical concerns tied to corporate responsibility in international technology trade. However, critics may argue the act risks appearing protectionist, potentially complicating diplomatic relations and open trade norms.

For industries, particularly U.S. semiconductor manufacturers like NVIDIA or AMD, the legislation carries mixed implications. While it aligns with national security interests, restricting access to a major market like China could disrupt revenues. For example, NVIDIA recently unveiled processors catering to the AI sector—such technologies would likely fall under these export bans. However, the provision for Congressional oversight ensures hard checks on unilateral or industry-specific burdens, balancing economic impacts with national priorities. Moreover, industries could pivot to alternative markets or federal contracts as compensatory measures, promoting technological innovation within U.S. borders.

The act also categorizes some key exceptions—humanitarian exports and maintenance of prior transactions—which add a pragmatic layer to its execution without entirely severing China from U.S.-sourced semiconductors. Still, questions remain on coordination with allied nations, such as South Korea or Japan, whose semiconductor exports could fill gaps exploited by U.S. restrictions. A robust multilateral export-control framework, akin to the Wassenaar Arrangement, might be needed to ensure global coherence.

In conclusion, H.R. 5022 exemplifies legislative efforts to balance innovation, national interest, and ethical tech governance. By explicitly addressing both national security risks and economic ripple effects, this act could set a model for future technology-specific export controls. However, its potential effectiveness relies heavily on international cooperation and the adaptability of U.S. industries to navigate changing market dynamics.

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