The Office of Management and Budget has proposed a new rule intended to halt all research funding for U.S. collaborations with China. This decision comes in light of China’s recent ascent as the leading global investor and producer in science and engineering research and development.

On August 11, 2026, the report was delivered at 2:00 p.m., signaling a shift in the strategic approach of the United States towards international cooperation in scientific fields. As China gains prominence, the U.S. aims to reassess and tighten its collaborative ties.

In April, an independent U.S. government board, which oversees $9 billion in federal science funding, was set to release its biennial report to both the president and Congress. The report emphasizes China’s substantial progress in surpassing the United States in investing in and producing top-tier science and engineering research.

A representative image shows a visitor interacting with a humanoid robot at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 18. This event, captured by Go Nakamura for Reuters, highlights China’s growing influence and advancement in technology sectors.