U.S. Looks to Restrict China’s Access to Cloud Computing to Protect Advanced Technology

The Biden administration is preparing to restrict Chinese companies’ access to U.S. cloud-computing services, according to people familiar with the situation, in a move that could further strain relations between the world’s economic superpowers. 

The new rule, if adopted, would likely require U.S. cloud-service providers such as Amazon.com and Microsoft to seek U.S. government permission before they provide cloud-computing services that use advanced artificial-intelligence chips to Chinese customers, the people said. 

The Biden administration’s move would follow other recent measures as Washington and Beijing wage a high-stakes conflict over access to the supply...