In this case study, we examine the United States’ continuous institutional efforts to address its concerns regarding China’s pursuit of technological independence. While the US views this as a counter-intelligence program to protect national security, the Chinese government views these actions as a strategic threat to its technological advancement. Case: On January 28, 2020, Professor Charles Lieber, who chairs Harvard University’s Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department, was taken into custody, along with two other Chinese nationals, in connection with three separate cases related to China (DOJ, January 2020). Lieber was charged with making false statements to federal authorities, as he had claimed to investigators that he had not been invited to participate in China’s Thousand Talent Program.