US Treasury Proposes High-Tech Investment Bans on China and Russia

The U.S. Treasury Department proposed a rule on Thursday to restrict American high-tech investments in several countries of concern, including China, Russia, North Korea, Cuba, and Iran. The proposal implements the Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security Act passed by Congress in December 2025, expanding a program originally initiated by Joe Biden in 2023.

The new restrictions target investments exceeding $50,000 in critical sectors such as biotechnology, supercomputing, hypersonic systems, and artificial intelligence, which the proposal refers to as "superintelligence." The Treasury Department stated the rule aims to prevent adversaries from using U.S. capital to enhance their military capabilities.

Russia is included in the proposed restrictions despite a recent decision by President Donald Trump to waive sanctions on the country following a diesel deal with Vladimir Putin. The Treasury Department will seek public comment before finalizing the rule.