Chinese scholar warns US supply chain strategy against Beijing will backfire

A senior Chinese political scientist has dismissed Washington's supply chain security initiatives as destined for failure, telling a weekend conference that American strategies built on targeting third-party nations cannot achieve their objectives.

The scholar warned that US attempts to limit access to low-cost Chinese AI models will ultimately damage American companies rather than strengthen Washington's position in the technology race.

Call for US-China Cooperation

The academic proposed an alternative path, urging the United States and China to work together on spurring global economic development that would create the external demand necessary for sustained long-term growth.

His comments come as the technological competition between the world's two largest economies intensifies, with Washington establishing multiple international groupings designed to slow Beijing's progress and protect supply chains covering artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals.

The political scientist specifically referenced initiatives such as Pax Silica as examples of US efforts that he believes will not succeed through their current approach of leveraging third-party relationships.

Mounting US Restrictions

Last month, American news outlet Axios reported the White House is weighing a decision to add several Chinese AI laboratories to a blacklist, a move that would curtail their capacity to utilise US technology.

The tension over AI development and supply chain control reflects broader concerns in both capitals about technological leadership and economic security in emerging fields where dominance could shape geopolitical influence for decades.

Source: South China Morning Post