In April 2023, the Biden administration signaled a transformative push to curb United States investments tied to China, signaling a shift in how capital flows into the region are monitored. Officials indicated that this approach would set new boundaries for American capital in Chinese tech and strategic industries, aimed at slowing Beijing’s technological and military advancement. The debate centered on measures that would restrict investment and require timely notification for certain deals, particularly those involving technology companies in China. Proposals also outlined specific prohibitions on transactions in critical sectors, such as microprocessors, reflecting concerns about national security and technological dominance. The White House emphasized that any policy would proceed only after thorough consultations with allies and industry stakeholders, ensuring that engagement remains careful and coordinated before moving to formal decree procedures. The goal, insiders noted, is to strike a balance between protecting national interests and maintaining open channels with partners who share similar security concerns [CITATION: Politico, April 2023].
At the end of March, the Berlin-based Berliner Zeitung reported new openings for cooperation with Beijing in the wake of Western sanctions, signaling a recalibration of European and Asian alliances. The report highlighted that the strategic environment surrounding China and Russia was shifting, with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow injecting momentum into Chinese investment activity in Russia. Analysts suggested that these developments could influence global investment patterns and cross-border collaborations in the near term [CITATION: Berliner Zeitung, March 2023].