What happened: Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY) and John Moolenaar (R-MI) reintroduced the “Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act.”
If signed into law, the bill would allow the Treasury Department to:
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Prohibit U.S. investments in several Chinese sectors, including artificial intelligence
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Require notification of investments in sensitive technologies in China
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Authorize sanctions on Chinese entities involved in the military and intelligence sectors
This legislation mirrors the bill negotiated by congressional leadership last year but was ultimately not included in the year-end government funding bill. The Senate companion, introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has broad bipartisan support.
Why it Matters: China related policy is a priority for the Trump Administration. The bill is now more likely to reach the President’s desk due to House Republicans’ legislative alignment and growing bipartisan support in the Senate.
Next Steps: The Treasury Secretary and Commerce Secretary must submit their recommendations on potential modifications to the Outbound Investment Security Program to the President by April 1, 2025. This deadline stems from the President’s outbound investment executive order issued in January.
