The U.S. risks losing its influence in global technology if it does not actively shape technical standards. China has been moving to fill this gap, aiming to control the rules that govern the digital world.
In 2019, Chinese engineers presented a plan called New IP at a United Nations telecom forum. The proposal envisioned an internet where users’ identities were linked to every online action, from website visits to clicks. New IP would have replaced the open internet with a system controlled by governments, making mass surveillance and censorship easier.
While China postponed the plan after facing strong opposition from Western nations, it highlighted Beijing’s ambitions. China seeks to set the technical rules for the next wave of global technologies. This includes internet protocols, 5G networks, artificial intelligence, and other critical systems shaping the digital economy.
For years, the U.S. has taken a backseat in these global discussions. Washington has reduced its engagement in technical standard-setting, creating a vacuum that Beijing is eager to fill. Experts warn that if the U.S. continues to hold back, China could dominate the rules that govern key technologies worldwide.
Technical standards determine how devices, software, and networks work together. They influence everything from cybersecurity and data privacy to internet governance and global commerce. Countries that lead in standards-setting can protect their interests, support innovation, and set ethical boundaries. Those that lag may have to follow rules written by others.
China’s approach is strategic. By shaping standards, it can ensure its technologies are widely adopted, giving Chinese firms a competitive advantage. At the same time, Beijing can embed rules that support government oversight and limit freedoms online. Critics argue this could reshape the global internet in ways that favor authoritarian control over privacy and openness.
The U.S. has historically played a leading role in creating technical standards. Organizations such as the Internet Engineering Task Force and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers have relied on American expertise and innovation. But funding cuts, reduced government participation, and political disagreements have slowed U.S. involvement. Meanwhile, China has increased its presence in international standard-setting bodies.
Experts urge Washington to act quickly. Increasing funding for research, engaging in international forums, and forming alliances with other like-minded nations can help the U.S. maintain influence. Building partnerships in Europe, Japan, South Korea, and other tech-forward countries is also crucial. By taking the lead, the U.S. can protect digital freedoms and ensure global technology standards remain open, fair, and secure.
The stakes are high. Technical rules created today will shape the next generation of global technologies. From smartphones to cloud computing, artificial intelligence to 5G networks, the standards established now will impact economies, security, and individual freedoms for decades.
Without proactive engagement, the U.S. risks ceding leadership to China. Beijing’s vision of a controlled and surveilled internet may gain traction if Washington does not reclaim its position. The choice is clear: to safeguard innovation and digital rights, the U.S. must lead in global technology standards before it is too late.
