The CHIPS and Science Act (2022) defined Countries of Concern as China, Iran, North Korea and Russia. The Secretary of Commerce can determine if additional countries fit into that definition. As noted in CHIPS, entities owned, controlled, or subject to the jurisdiction of a Country of Concern may also be subject to restriction.
Designation as a Country of Concern does not mean research collaborations with individuals in or visiting scholars from those countries are banned. Rather, this designation is used by federal agencies and the Research Security Program as a risk marker.