WASHINGTON – With its days in power, the Trump administration’s Department of Commerce on Thursday continued rules that led the U.S. to consider purchases of communications technology from China and five other countries as foreign adversaries.
The rules would not have come into effect for 60 days, leaving a decision on how and whether to proceed with the attempt to elect the president of Joe Biden’s government. Mr. Biden’s advisers said they wanted to limit US dependence on Chinese technology, but the incoming team did not set out specific policies.
“The officials are reasonable,” said a senior administration official, adding that he believes the incoming government “will see the need for it.” A Biden spokesman declined to comment.
Along with China, Trade has designated Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba and the Maduro government of Venezuela as foreign adversaries. Shipments of communications hardware, software and other equipment from those countries may be blocked as a national security risk under the new rules.
Under the proposal, Commerce has 180 days to decide whether to allow the sale or whether to amend a transaction.