（Singapore, 13.02.2026）The Trump administration has put several major technology security measures targeting China on hold ahead of a planned April summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The paused actions include a potential ban on China Telecom’s U.S. operations and restrictions on the sale of Chinese equipment used in American data centers. Proposed bans affecting domestic sales of routers made by TP-Link, as well as the U.S. internet businesses of China Unicom and China Mobile, have also been shelved, four sources said.
Another measure that would have barred sales of Chinese electric trucks and buses in the United States has similarly been put on hold.
The decisions, first reported by Reuters, follow a trade truce reached last October between Trump and Xi aimed at easing tensions after years of tariff disputes and technology restrictions.
Under that agreement, China pledged to delay implementing export restrictions on rare-earth minerals, which are critical components in the production of semiconductors, electric vehicles and other advanced technologies.
Trade Truce Shapes Policy Direction
Sources said the pause reflects efforts to avoid antagonizing Beijing ahead of the leaders’ meeting. The administration has sought to stabilize trade ties following a period of heightened tensions linked to tariffs and export controls.
The U.S. Commerce Department said it continues to use its authority to address national security risks from foreign technology and remains committed to protecting critical infrastructure.
The White House and Chinese state-owned telecom companies China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom did not respond to requests for comment on the measures or the reasons for the delay.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington said Beijing opposes turning trade and technological issues into political tools and welcomed cooperation that could move bilateral relations toward mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
Some Democratic lawmakers criticized the move. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said allowing Chinese technology deeper access into U.S. infrastructure could undermine national security and expose sensitive data.
The measures initially under consideration were designed to prevent Beijing from accessing or exploiting sensitive American data, according to two sources. They were also intended to reduce the risk of foreign entities positioning themselves within internet-connected systems that support critical infrastructure.
Impact on Technology and Infrastructure
The policy shift comes as U.S. data center construction accelerates to meet growing demand for artificial intelligence applications. Industry estimates indicate that U.S. data center capacity could expand by nearly 120% by 2030, driven by AI-related investment and cloud computing growth.
Critics of the pause argue that delaying restrictions may increase exposure to potential security risks within telecommunications networks and data infrastructure. Former officials have described Chinese-linked hardware in data centers as a growing concern.
Sources said that throughout much of last year, Commerce Undersecretary Jeffrey Kessler sought additional approval from senior leadership before advancing the measures. After the October trade truce, leadership reportedly directed staff in the office overseeing foreign technology threats to shift focus toward Iran and Russia.
Last month, the Commerce Department replaced the official leading that office. She is expected to be succeeded by Katelyn Christ, a political appointee with prior experience in the department. Sources said previously paused measures could be reconsidered depending on future developments in U.S.-China relations.
TP-Link Systems Inc., a California-based company spun off from a Chinese firm in 2024, said it is independently owned and operates with U.S.-managed software and U.S.-hosted data. The company said its products meet U.S. industry security standards and denied being subject to foreign control.
According to two sources, TP-Link contacted the Commerce Department last year with proposals to address national security concerns, potentially clearing the way for less restrictive treatment of its U.S. router sales.
The April summit between Trump and Xi is expected to focus on trade and technology issues. Trump plans to visit Beijing, and Xi has been invited to visit the United States later in the year.
The administration’s decision to pause the measures signals a temporary easing of technology-related tensions as both sides prepare for high-level talks.
