President Joe Biden’s administration has agreed to extend the U.S.-China science and technology sharing agreement for another five years, sparking a heated debate about its impact on U.S. security.

Critics argue that the extension could undermine U.S. interests, strengthen China’s military, and complicate international relations ahead of the transition to the Donald Trump presidency, while the Biden administration defends it as essential for continued cooperation, as the Washington Examiner reports.

First established under President Jimmy Carter, the agreement has been a point of contention in recent years. Critics claim that China is using access to U.S. scientific knowledge to enhance its military and intelligence capabilities, particularly to bolster the Chinese Communist Party’s power.

The U.S. State Department insists that the new agreement includes safeguards to address these concerns, but many remain skeptical. Despite these reassurances, critics believe that the deal continues to benefit China at the expense of U.S. security and influence.

Lawmakers Condemn the Extension

Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, strongly criticized the extension. He argued that the renewal effectively ties the hands of the incoming administration, preventing them from renegotiating the deal or walking away from it altogether.

“Renewal of the STA in the final days of the administration is a clear attempt to tie the hands of the incoming administration and deny them the opportunity to either leave the agreement or negotiate a better deal for the American people,” Moolenaar said in a statement.

The extension is not only controversial within the U.S. but also raises concerns among its global allies. Countries like France, Australia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom have been cautious about increasing technological exchanges with China, fearing repercussions from the U.S. if they do so.

U.S. Allies Wary of Extension

The U.S. move to extend the agreement could send a troubling signal to its allies, who might now reconsider their own positions on technology sharing with China. Critics argue that the extension may encourage these nations to pursue deeper ties with China, weakening the collective Western stance against its growing technological influence.

The Chinese government has welcomed the extension, with a spokesperson praising the deal as mutually beneficial. He framed it as a positive step in line with the agreements made between Presidents Biden and Xi Jinping.

“Scientific cooperation between China and the U.S. benefits both sides… The extension of the agreement is an important move to follow up on the common understandings reached between the two presidents when they met,” the spokesperson said. He emphasized that the deal is in the interest of both nations and aligns with international expectations.

U.S. Risks Losing Tech Leadership

Despite China’s reassurances, critics argue that the agreement allows China to leverage U.S. technology to further its military ambitions. They warn that continued engagement could lead to the erosion of U.S. technological leadership, as China uses this knowledge to catch up in fields like artificial intelligence and advanced weapons systems.

The critics view the decision to extend the agreement as a missed opportunity for the U.S. to take a firmer stance on limiting China’s access to critical technologies. By continuing to share scientific knowledge, they argue, the U.S. is not only enabling China’s rise but also potentially sacrificing its own competitive advantage.

Short-Term Gain, Long-Term Risks

The decision to extend the agreement has been criticized as politically motivated, timed to limit the options of the next administration. With the U.S. presidential election just around the corner, critics argue that the Biden administration made the move to tie the hands of its successor—particularly if former President Donald Trump returns to office.

“This deal could be a strategic misstep,” said one critic, noting that the extension could make it harder for the next administration to renegotiate or withdraw from the deal if it chooses to do so. The move is seen as a victory for China, potentially weakening U.S. leverage in future diplomatic negotiations.

Global Implications and Strategic Uncertainty

The extension has significant implications for U.S. foreign policy and its global standing. While the U.S. argues that new safeguards will protect against security risks, many allied nations may feel compelled to adjust their own technology-sharing policies with China. The U.S. move could inadvertently encourage closer technological ties between other nations and China.

As countries reconsider their positions, the U.S. risks losing its ability to shape global standards on technology sharing. If other countries begin to view China as a viable partner for tech cooperation, the U.S. could find itself in a weaker position to influence the global tech landscape.

Complicating Future U.S.-China Relations

The renewal of the U.S.-China tech agreement has also raised questions about the future direction of U.S.-China relations. While the agreement signals ongoing cooperation, it also underscores the complex balance between collaboration and competition in the current geopolitical environment.

As China continues to expand its technological capabilities, the U.S. must carefully navigate its approach to maintaining both national security and global technological leadership. The extension of this agreement highlights the ongoing challenges the U.S. faces in balancing cooperation with competition in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Final Thoughts on the Extension

The extension of the U.S.-China science and technology agreement will remain a contentious issue for the U.S. political landscape in the months to come. With the potential to alter the dynamics of international tech diplomacy, the deal has sparked debates about security, influence, and the U.S.'s role on the world stage.

In the short term, the Biden administration’s decision may have helped secure continued cooperation between the two nations, but critics argue that it comes at a long-term cost. As the U.S. faces increasingly complex global challenges, how it manages its relationship with China will have lasting implications for both its own security and its international standing.