U.S. Tech Policy Toward China: Growing Parallels Between Washington and Beijing?

Angela Huyue Zhang

Professor of Law, University of Southern California, Gould School of Law

In this talk, I will pose the provocative question of whether America is now acting like China in its attempt to contain China’s technological rise. Amid the escalating Sino-U.S. tech war, the United States has built an unprecedented legal machine aimed at curbing China’s technological advancements. From imposing stringent sanctions on Chinese tech giants to restricting China’s access to advanced semiconductor chips and equipment, the U.S. government has intensified efforts to slow China’s progress in key sectors. In parallel, it has heightened scrutiny over both inbound and outbound investments related to China, passed a law that could lead to a nationwide ban on Tik Tok, and imposed steep tariffs on Chinese high-tech goods such as electric vehicles, batteries, and solar panels. Meanwhile, U.S. agencies have significantly ramped up enforcement against espionage activities, disproportionately targeting ethnic Chinese scientists, which has led to a talent exodus in recent years.

Drawing from my newly released book, High Wire: How China Regulates Big Tech and Governs Its Economy, I will explore the striking parallels between the U.S. and China’s regulatory governance. Through a deep dive into the structure, processes, and outcomes of U.S. legal strategies, I will unravel the dynamic complexities and unintended consequences of U.S. legal actions against China. Additionally, I will offer proposals on how the United States can recalibrate its tech policy to enhance resilience and maintain its competitive edge in the fast-changing technological landscape.

Angela Huyue Zhang is a Professor of Law at the USC Gould School of Law. Zhang has broad research interests in the areas of law and economics, particularly in transnational legal issues bearing on businesses. Widely recognized as a leading authority on Chinese tech regulation, she has written extensively on this topic. Her first book, Chinese Antitrust Exceptionalism: How the Rise of China Challenges Global Regulation, was named one of the Best Political Economy Books of the Year by ProMarket in 2021. Her second book, High Wire: How China Regulates Big Tech and Governs Its Economy, released in March 2024, has been covered in The New York Times, Bloomberg, Wire China, MIT Tech Review and many other international news outlets. Zhang is currently conducting research on the regulation of artificial intelligence, with plans to teach and write on this topic in the coming years. Before joining USC Gould in 2024, Zhang taught at the University of Hong Kong, New York University School of Law, and King’s College London.

Boxed lunch will be provided.

Sponsored by East Asian Legal Studies.