US Senate passes sweeping bill to address China tech threat

[WASHINGTON] The US Senate on Tuesday voted 68-32 to approve a sweeping package of legislation intended to boost the country's ability to compete with Chinese technology, as Congress increasingly seeks to take a tough line against Beijing.

The bipartisan measure authorises about US$190 billion for provisions to strengthen US technology and research - and would separately approve spending about US$50 billion to increase US production and research into semiconductors and telecommunications equipment.

The bill must also pass the House of Representatives to be sent to the White House for President Joe Biden to sign into law.

REUTERS