Indy Standard

Senator Todd Young, alongside other Republican members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has voiced opposition to the Biden Administration's decision to renew the U.S.-China Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement (STA) for another five years. The group addressed their concerns in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The senators argue that China has used this agreement to bolster its military capabilities and state-sponsored industrial growth. They believe extending the STA could lead to further exploitation of American research. "The era in which U.S.-PRC science and technology (S&T) cooperation made sense is long gone," they stated, emphasizing China's ambition to dominate future technologies by any means necessary.

They highlighted the risks associated with renewing the STA, noting China's past use of research collaboration under this agreement to advance its military goals and restrict access to U.S.-funded research data. The letter also expressed concern over the safety of American researchers due to China's history of using U.S. citizens as leverage.

Despite briefings from the Department of State on the STA, the senators remain worried about protecting American researchers and enforcing intellectual property rights. They noted that legislation has been introduced in Congress to enhance oversight of the STA and ensure protections for dual-use research and human rights.

The letter concludes by criticizing the timing of the renewal, which they argue prevents the incoming administration from having input on this contentious issue. The senators urge a reversal of this decision by President Biden's administration.

Senators Jim Risch, John Barrasso, Pete Ricketts, and Bill Hagerty joined Senator Young in signing this letter.