Research funded by the U.S. Defense Department, NASA, and other government agencies has resulted in over 1,000 U.S. patents being granted to inventors based in China since 2010. These patents cover a wide range of fields, including biotechnology and semiconductors, as shown by data from the U.S. patent agency.
This previously unreported data has fueled concerns about the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement, with critics arguing that it disproportionately benefits China. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently provided this information to the House of Representatives’ select committee on China.
With sensitive technology and innovation at stake, the revelation of China’s significant patent success in the U.S. is raising questions about the implications of continued collaboration between the two nations. As the debate over the U.S.-China relationship continues, policymakers are facing mounting pressure to reassess the terms of their scientific and technological cooperation.