A senior US lawmaker has called on the Commerce Department to consider imposing trade restrictions on Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence firm Group 42 Holdings due to its ties to China. House China Select Committee Chairman Mike Gallagher expressed concern about G42’s connections with blacklisted Chinese companies and potential risks to US research at universities. Gallagher specifically mentioned G42’s relationships with Huawei Technologies and Beijing Genomics Institute, as well as its affiliations with Emirati cybersecurity firm DarkMatter.
In a letter dated January 3, Gallagher urged Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to impose sanctions on G42 and thirteen of its subsidiaries and affiliates, five of which he claims have links to DarkMatter. Under such sanctions, US companies would be required to obtain a government license before exporting goods to these entities. The letter highlighted documents reviewed by Gallagher’s committee, revealing G42’s involvement with an expansive network of Emirati and Chinese firms supporting human rights abuses and China’s military advancements. However, the specifics of these documents were not disclosed.
This latest demand represents Gallagher’s ongoing efforts to urge the Biden administration to take action against Chinese firms and companies connected to China. Just last week, he called for restrictions on capital access for Chinese internet device company Quectel Wireless Solutions.
While G42 has established ties with American firms like OpenAI and Microsoft Corp., concerns are growing among US officials regarding the flow of finances from the United Arab Emirates to Beijing. These financial connections are seen as a potential national security risk, particularly in critical technology sectors.
Both the Commerce Department and G42 have yet to respond to requests for comment regarding these trade restriction considerations.
The source of the article is from the blog myshopsguide.com