Joe Biden Archives - Gizmochina

Biden’s Push for Affordable High-Speed Internet includes $930 Million in Grants

Anubhav — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 03:00:57 +0000

In a recent tweet, President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of high-speed internet as a necessity rather than a luxury. Acknowledging the digital divide that persists across the United States, his administration has committed to investing in expanding access to affordable high-speed internet. This ambitious endeavour aims to bridge the gap and ensure that all Americans can reap the benefits of a connected world.

Rural areas suffer from infrastructure issues and lower population density, both major setbacks

Affordable high-speed internet is a game-changer, levelling the playing field for individuals, communities, and businesses. The digital divide refers to the socio-economic gap between those who have access to reliable internet connectivity and those who do not. It limits opportunities for education, employment, healthcare, and social engagement, contributing to already existing inequalities. By addressing this disparity, the Biden administration strives to empower underserved communities and foster a more inclusive society.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo compared the initiative to the construction of the interstate highway system. Just as the highways connected communities and facilitated economic growth, affordable high-speed internet access will serve as the backbone for progress in the digital age. It will connect communities across the nation to regional and national networks, unlocking new opportunities for innovation, education, telemedicine, and entrepreneurship.

The task of expanding affordable high-speed internet access is not without its hurdles. Rural areas, in particular, face unique challenges due to geographic constraints, limited infrastructure, and lower population density. Implementing robust connectivity solutions in these regions requires careful planning, increased investment, and innovative approaches. The Biden administration’s commitment to overcoming these obstacles should ensure that no community is left behind in the digital revolution.

Affordable high-speed internet is a lifeline for students and educators. It enables remote learning, access to online resources, and virtual collaboration, bridging educational gaps and providing equal opportunities for all. Additionally, it opens up avenues for remote work, giving individuals the flexibility to pursue employment opportunities regardless of their geographic location. By breaking down barriers to education and employment, affordable Internet serves as a catalyst for economic growth and social mobility.

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Chinese apps could face subpoenas or bans in the United States under Biden order

Jeet — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 05:44:02 +0000

India has already banned hundreds of Chinese applications in the country, including TikTok, Aliexpress, and PUBG Mobile and now it seems that the United States could also go down the same path.

A new report from Reuters, citing people aware of the matter, claims that US President Joe Biden could sign an executive order aimed at safeguarding Americans’ sensitive data by forcing Chinese apps to take tougher measures to protect private information if they want to remain in the U.S. market.

It is said that the goal of such an order is to keep foreign adversaries like China and Russia from gaining access to large amounts of personal and proprietary business information.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Commerce may issue subpoenas to collect information about certain smartphone, tablet, and desktop computer software applications. The agency may negotiate conditions for their use in the United States or ban the apps.

While the new order has not named any companies, it could end up capturing more apps than the Trump administrator’s bans and hold up better if it is challenged in court. The government is concerned about China’s ability to track locations of government employees, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail and conduct corporate espionage.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will decide which apps to target for U.S. action, but they must meet certain criteria. The apps must be owned, controlled, or managed by a person or entity that supports the military or intelligence activities of a foreign adversary such as China or Russia.

After the app has been tagged by the Commerce Secretary as “posing an unacceptable risk”, it will be notified and then the company will have 30 days to object or propose measures to secure data.

Apps from China are most likely to find themselves in the Commerce Department’s crosshairs given escalating tensions between both the countries as well as the Chinese government’s ability to exert control over companies.

As per the people aware of the matter, the order will apply to business apps, including those used in banking and telecommunications, as well as consumer apps. Apps linked to other adversaries such as Iran or Venezuela are already blocked under broader sanctions.

Intel promises to help automakers, as Biden seeks to ease chip shortage

Sean — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 07:07:58 +0000

US President Joe President recently met with executives from various companies earlier this week to address the global chip shortage that has affected the automobile manufacturers. This has even led to Intel announcing its plans to help automakers as well.

According to a Reuters report, the chip making giant has announced it plans to manufacture chips at its factories for car plants in the next six to nine months. In the White House summit, Biden stated that he had bipartisan support for legislation to fund the semiconductor industry. Furthermore, he had previously announced plans to invest 50 billion US Dollars into the semiconductor manufacturing and research as a part of the his efforts to rebuild US manufacturing under a 2 trillion US Dollar pan.

For those unaware, the world is suffering from a major shortage at the moment, with the automobile industry being one of the market affected by this issue. Car makers even had to compete with the consumer electronics industry for the supply of chips, since the latter has seen a surge in demand due to people spending more time at home. Biden and his advisers are treating the semiconductor shortage as a “top and immediate priority.”

Pat Gelsinger, Chief Executive of Intel, had also attended the meeting virtually and told Reuters that the firm is planning to start producing chips at its factories within six to nine months to address the shortage. He said that “We’re hoping that some of these things can be alleviated, not requiring a three- or four-year factory build, but maybe six months of new products being certified on some of our existing processes. We’ve begun those engagements already with some of the key components suppliers.”

Biden administration set to apply a Trump regulation that targets Chinese tech firms

Sean — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 09:32:39 +0000

The Biden administration is planning on implementing a regulation that first surfaced back during the term of the former President Donald Trump. The rule targets Chinese tech firms that are designated as a threat to the US.

According to a Reuters report, the news arrives despite the objections from US based businesses. During the final days of the Trump administration, the US Commerce Department had issued an interim final rule that aimed at addressing information and communications technology supply chain concerns. The department had said that this rule would become effective after a 60 day period of public comment.

As per a spokesperson of the department, the agency would be accepting a public comment on the rule until 22nd March 2021, which is also when it would go into effect. In the statement, it was said that “Trustworthy information and communications technology and services are essential to our national and economic security and remains a top priority for the Biden Harris administration.”

However, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and groups that represent major industries stated in a letter that this interim rule gave the agency “nearly unlimited authority to intervene in virtually any commercial transaction between U.S. companies and their foreign counterparts that involves technology, with little to no due process, accountability, transparency, or coordination with other government programs.”

Huawei seeks to hold talks with Biden administration over its trade ban

Sean — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 10:28:53 +0000

Huawei is apparently hoping to hold talks with the Biden administration to address its current trade ban. The company wishes to talk “separately” from Beijing in an effort to resolve the US export ban that it is currently facing.

According to a NikkeiAsia report, the reason for the talks would also discuss the detention of the Chinese tech giant’s CFO Meng Wanzhou. As per Tim Danks, vice president of risk management and partner relations at Huawei Technologies USA, “We want to have a discussion [with the U.S. administration] separately from the Chinese government. We don’t want to be lumped into that discussion.” At the moment, the company has yet to speak with the new Biden administration but hopes to hold discussions soon.

For those unaware, the Trump administration had placed the Chinese brand into an export blacklist called Entity List over security risk allegations. This essentially cut off its ability to buy crucial components from American firms. But now, the company is hoping for “adjustments and issuing of temporary general licenses,” which will allow US based companies to continue selling to the Chinese brand.

Tim Danks further added that “In the near term, selling in the U.S. is not a priority for Huawei. Our priority is the supply chain.” However, Biden’s nominee for secretary of commerce, Gina Raimondo had previously stated that she “would use the full tool kit at my disposal to protect America and our networks from Chinese interference or any back-door influence in our network, whether that be Huawei, ZTE or any other company.” So it remains to be seen what stance the new administration would take, even if the talks are held with Huawei.

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US President Joe Biden to issue an executive order to help tackle the global chip shortage

Jed John Ikoba — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 00:12:17 +0000

Since January this year, the tech industry globally has been plagued by an unprecedented chip shortage. There are claims that the shortage was due to former President Donald Trump’s clampdown on Chinese companies, especially those in the semiconductor value chain such as SMIC.

The automobile industry has been the worse-hit by the global chip shortage so much that some companies have had to shut down their assembly lines. Apart from the automobile sector, the gaming industry is also impacted as there is presently a shortage of gaming consoles such as the Sony PlayStation5.

In order to stem this tide, Joe Biden is reportedly planning several “aggressive steps” aimed at ameliorating the global semiconductor shortage. A report carried by Bloomberg says the US president “is expected to sign an executive order directing a government-wide supply chain review for critical goods in the coming weeks, with the chip shortage a central concern behind the probe.” The new administration is said to prioritize “identifying choke points in supply chains” to ease current shortages.

Another aspect the US administration is said to be eying is the creation of fresh incentives that will lure chip manufacturers to set up their foundries in the United States. To this end, the top brass in the chip industry, including Intel and Qualcomm, have all enjoined the US government to fund such initiatives. However, w can’t say for sure the exact from that the incentives could take.

Huawei Founder hopes Biden administration will bring an ‘open policy’

Sean — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 09:03:14 +0000

Huawei Technologies Founder, Ren Zhengfei, stated earlier today (9th February 2021) that it will be “extremely difficult” for the US to reverse its sanctions against the company, but he hopes the new Biden administration will bring a more “open policy.”

According to a Reuters report, the senior executive of the Chinese tech giant said that he hoped the new US President, Joe Biden, would keep the US business interests in mind while making new policies. The founder believes that it is “conducive” to the financial performance of US based companies that supply to Chinese corporations. Despite its struggling smartphone operations, Huawei still managed to see positive growth last year for both revenue and net profit.

Ren further added that “We hope the new administration will harbor an open policy for the benefit of the American firms and also the economic development of the US.” Furthermore, he said that he would also welcome a call from Biden. For those unaware, the previous US President, Donald Trump, added Huawei to the US trade blacklist, over national security concerns. Additional sanctions thereafter effectively hampered the company’s smartphone unit as well.

Zhengfei Ren, Huawei founder and CEO

Due to the blacklist, the company could no longer procure goods or technology from US based firms. In other words, it now faced issues sourcing crucial components, especially after being cut off from its primary chip supplier TSMC. Ren believes it would still be “extremely difficult” for the brand to be taken off the entity list, but he continues to hope to buy “large volumes” of US made equipment and materials if the Biden administration allows it.

Joe Biden’s Commerce nominee vows to protect nation’s networks from Huawei and ZTE

Sean — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 11:23:43 +0000

The US President’s, Joe Biden, nominee for the position of the head of the US Commerce Department vowed to protect the US telecommunications networks against Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE, earlier this week.

According to a Reuters report, the nominee would protect the US networks from the Chinese firms and would commit to keeping companies like Huawei and ZTE on the economic trade blacklist. Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo said in testimony before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee that “I would use the full toolkit at my disposal to the fullest extent possible to protect Americans and our network from Chinese interference or any kind of back-door influence.”

In particular, the government official named Huawei and ZTE, who are known telecommunications equipment providers, especially for 5G infrastructure. Back in December 2020, Congress even approved 1.9 billion US Dollars in funds for the replacement of ZTE and Huawei equipment from the US networks. This decision is in line with the previous President’s efforts against Chinese firms, which had dozens of Chinese companies being placed on the trade blacklist.

Raimondo also stated that she would “review the policy, consult with you, consult with industry, consult with our allies and make an assessment as to what’s best for American national and economic security,” when asked about keeping Huawei on the economic blacklist. Furthermore, she has vowed to take an “aggressive: stance against the trade practices of China saying that “China’s actions have been anticompetitive,” and that she would use all the tools at her disposal to “level the playing field.”

China tech industry relieved by Biden’s win, but are still cautious

Sean — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 11:24:36 +0000

The tech industry in China has breathed a sigh of relief as Joe Biden won the US Presidency. This arrives as the previous President, Donald Trump, had been targetting the Chinese industry as a part of the US-China trade wards and political disputes.

According to a Reuters report, analysts have stated that the Chinese tech industry is hoping that Joe Biden would be more welcoming of a more constructive relationship and would de-escalate the rivalry between both nations. The four year long Trump term had been a major obstacle for numerous Chinese companies and had taught the importance of self reliance as well. Although, despite Biden winning, the nation still plans on focusing on its domestic tech capabilities, as per executives and analysts.

Fang Xingdong, director of the Consortium of Internet and Society at the Communication University of Zhejiang, stated that “When Biden takes office, tech companies in China might be relieved. At least, the United States is supposed to re-advocate openness, re-respect fair competition, and re-advocate innovation. However, in the high-tech field, competition and game theory will not end, and China and the U.S. will compete with each other with true innovation capabilities in the next decade.”

The position the new US President takes on the trade tensions between both nations remains to be seen. Furthermore, the impact of the new leadership on Huawei, ByteDance’s TikTok, or even WeChat is still unknown as well. So we will have to wait and see how Joe Biden handles the alleged security risk that these companies pose to the United States.

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