WSJ News Exclusive | U.S. Looks to Restrict China’s Access to Cloud Computing to Protect Advanced Technology

Yellen has said she is hoping to arrest a downward spiral in relations, as U.S. officials worry that China could cut off access to key goods such as components to electric-vehicle batteries.

The new rule, if adopted, would likely require U.S. cloud-service providers such as Amazon.com AMZN -0.11% 🔽

and Microsoft [MSFT -0.75% 🔽

](https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/MSFT?mod=chiclets)to seek U.S. government permission before they provide cloud-computing services that use advanced artificial-intelligence chips to Chinese customers, the people said.

Concerned about China's advancement in artificial-intelligence technologies and their military applications, the Biden administration is stepping up efforts to limit transfers of chips and other products and services to Chinese companies.