In this way, Washington seeks to avoid the exploitation of US investments abroad by "countries of interest" that seek to develop sensitive technologies or products that threaten "national security."

The United States Department of the Treasury issued a notice this Friday on proposed regulations to implement the executive order that addresses investments by American companies and individuals in certain technologies in countries such as China that may affect national security.

In this way, Washington seeks to prevent the exploitation of US investments abroad by "countries of interest" that seek to develop sensitive technologies or products that are critical for the next generation of military, intelligence, surveillance or cyber capabilities and that pose national security risks to the United States.

United States President Joe Biden identified the People's Republic of China, along with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macau Special Administrative Region, as countries of concern.

In this regard, the Secretary of the Treasury is specifically directed to issue regulations to prohibit Americans from engaging in certain transactions involving certain technologies and products, such as semiconductors and microelectronics; quantum information technologies; and artificial intelligence, which pose a particularly serious threat to the national security of the United States and are required to notify the Treasury of other transactions involving certain technologies and products that may contribute to the threat to the national security of the country.

The Treasury will keep the consultation period on the rule open until August 4 and invites interested parties to send their comments on all aspects of the proposal.

"President Biden and Secretary Yellen are committed to taking clear and specific steps to prevent the advancement of key technologies such as artificial intelligence by countries of concern from threatening the national security of the United States," said Treasury Undersecretary for Security of Investments, Paul Rosen.

"The proposed rule promotes our national security by preventing the many benefits provided by certain U.S. investments, beyond simple capital, from supporting the development of sensitive technologies in countries that may use them to threaten our national security," he added.