Joint patents with China pose pitfalls in U.S.-led decoupling

American, Japanese filings on EV tech exposed to Beijing's leverage in trade battle

20230314 Mazda plant

An electric vehicle is assembled at Mazda Motor's plant in Hiroshima, Japan. Chinese curbs on technology exports could hinder the development of new EVs. (Photo by Ryotaro Yamada)

TAMAKI KYOZUKA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- The increasingly global nature of intellectual property development could provide Beijing some protection from the U.S.-led push to cut China out of supply chains, as companies worry about losing access to key technology in such areas as electric vehicles.

American entities jointly applied for 125 patents in China with Chinese universities or companies over the three years through 2022. Japanese-Chinese joint applications were close behind, at 115.

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