Rubio asks Biden Halt Chinese 'BRITE' Semiconductor Firm

US Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fl) is asking President Joe Biden take action to prevent Chinese semiconductor firm ‘Brite’ from accessing US technology and capital markets. 

A report published last week exposed how Brite has been able to purchase US software and obtain financing from American investors. 

Brite services at least six Chinese military suppliers and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), according to the report.  

President Biden signed an executive order last August to prohibit the sale of technology in the semiconductor and tech industry to states, such as China, or individuals from such states.

The news of Brite’s ability to circumvent Biden’s order has prompted Senator Rubio to write a letter asking for the intervention of Biden’s Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

Rubio explained via X his letter emphasizes that “the U.S. must prevent China from using American chip-design software to advance its technological & military strategy.”

The letter contains sharp criticism for Biden’s foreign policy strategy vis-a-vis China. 

Rubio claimed the ability for Chinese firms to skirt Biden’s sanctions demonstrates “ yet again that (Biden’s) export-control scheme is allowing China’s rise as a technological power. 

Claiming that the current sanctions are being circumvented for being too narrow in scope, Rubio recommended Secretary Raimondo “blacklist” Brite and begin “rescinding and/or denying export licenses to blacklisted entities.”

Protectionist trade measures such as tariffs or sanctions are generally opposed by most conservative lawmakers as they tend to support free-market capitalist ideals. 

However, Rubio has been increasingly calling for the expansion and stricter enforcement of US protectionist regulations for national security purposes. 

Yesterday, Rubio wrote a separate letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging her to prevent US Steel Corporation (US Steel) from being acquired. 

Following Rubio’s letter, Biden's National Economic Adviser Lael Brainerd stated the transaction deserves “serious scrutiny.”