USA: The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Washington intends to restrict US investment in high-tech sectors of competing economies, citing sources and reports from the US Treasury and Commerce Departments on proposed regulation.

According to sources involved in discussions about the new rules, the sanctions will target private and venture capital investments in the development of semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing and will be primarily directed against China.

The WSJ points out, however, that neither the economic sectors considered a threat to US national security nor the specific nations affected by the measures are mentioned in the report.

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The outlet indicates that the emphasis will be on industries that can boost the military might of US competitors.

According to the Treasury report, the new foreign investment rules, for example, will focus on "preventing American capital and expertise from being exploited in ways that threaten our national security while not placing undue burdens on American investors and businesses.

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Treasury reportedly pushed for sanctions not limited to risks to national security and creating undue economic benefits as Washington worked on new rules for several months.

The investment regulation would be another attempt by the US to slow down China's technological advances, which Washington views as risky.

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For example, late last year, the Joe Biden administration implemented export embargoes to prevent China from receiving sophisticated US technology, which Washington claims could be used for military purposes.

Beijing responded by filing a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization, claiming that the US export restrictions "undermine the international economic and trade order."