The Trump administration has put on hold several major technology security measures targeting Beijing ahead of an expected April meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, according to sources familiar with the decisions.
The paused measures reportedly include a ban on China Telecom’s U.S. operations, restrictions on Chinese-made equipment used in American data centers, and proposed bans affecting routers from TP-Link. Other actions placed on hold involve the U.S. businesses of China Unicom and China Mobile, as well as a proposed prohibition on Chinese electric trucks and buses in the United States.
The move follows an October trade truce between Washington and Beijing, during which China pledged to delay export restrictions on rare-earth minerals critical to global technology manufacturing. Officials say the Commerce Department continues to address national security risks from foreign technology, but critics argue the pause could expose U.S. infrastructure to heightened risk.
China hawks warn that without curbs, American data centers—rapidly expanding to meet AI demand—could become vulnerable to exploitation. Former officials have cautioned that Chinese-linked hardware embedded in telecoms and energy systems may create strategic weaknesses.
Democratic leaders, including Chuck Schumer, criticized the decision, arguing it undermines national security while signaling softness toward Beijing.
Beijing, through its embassy, said it opposes the politicization of trade and technology and called for cooperation based on mutual respect.
Sources indicated that some of the paused measures could be revived if U.S.-China relations deteriorate following the upcoming summit.
