Congress Takes Aim at China: New U.S. Legislation Targets Ports, Land, and Tech

In a rare show of bipartisan unity, Congress has recently rolled out a set of bills aimed at curbing China’s influence across multiple sectors of U.S. infrastructure, technology, agriculture, and education. These legislative efforts are a response to growing concerns about national security and China’s expanding global reach, particularly within the United States.

Blocking Access to U.S. Ports

One of the headline bills, led by Republican Rep. Michelle Steel of California, seeks to ban Chinese state-owned enterprises, as well as companies from other adversarial nations like Russia, North Korea, and Iran, from accessing or operating U.S. ports. The “Secure Our Ports Act” aims to protect vital shipping infrastructure from foreign control or manipulation, which could disrupt supply chains and allow for surveillance activities. Chinese conglomerates like COSCO and COFCO have a presence at key U.S. ports, making this legislation a critical move to safeguard America’s economic and national security. Steel’s bill aligns with concerns that Chinese cranes and other equipment at ports may be used for espionage.

Drone and Technology Control

The House has also passed bills that would ban Chinese-made drones from U.S. markets. Chinese company DJI, which dominates the drone industry, has been flagged as a potential security risk. Rep. Elise Stefanik argued that allowing Chinese drones to proliferate in the U.S. gives China “eyes in our sky” and undermines American drone manufacturers. The legislation also includes tighter controls on China’s access to advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and military innovations, closing loopholes that allow remote access through cloud computing services.

Farmland and Agriculture Restrictions

Another significant piece of legislation addresses China’s growing investments in American farmland. The bill flags land sales involving China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran as “reportable” transactions, which must be reviewed for potential national security risks. Lawmakers raised concerns after Chinese entities purchased farmland near U.S. military bases, leading to fears of surveillance or economic sabotage. The bill also adds the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), enhancing the government’s ability to block such purchases.

The Battle Over Electric Vehicles

In another bid to stymie Chinese economic influence, the House passed a bill restricting Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) from benefiting from U.S. tax credits. The legislation would ensure that vehicles containing components manufactured in China cannot qualify for up to $7,500 in tax credits, a crucial part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Critics argue that allowing Chinese EVs to benefit from U.S. subsidies enables China’s dominance in the global EV market, while U.S. companies struggle to compete.

Biotech and Health Data Security

With technology dominating much of the legislation, Congress also took aim at Chinese-linked biotech companies. A bill has been introduced to block federal funds from flowing to Chinese biotech firms that could compromise American health data or public health infrastructure. This is part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on China for medical supplies and secure sensitive health information from potential breaches or misuse.

Spying in Schools and the “New McCarthyism”

One of the more controversial measures seeks to revive a Trump-era program aimed at curbing espionage in American universities. The “China Initiative” was originally designed to root out intellectual property theft by Chinese nationals but faced criticism for racial profiling and targeting researchers of Chinese descent. This revived version, now called the “CCP Initiative,” aims to address national security threats without the discriminatory practices of its predecessor, though critics remain wary of potential abuses.

Strengthening Diplomacy in Asia

The legislative package also extends into foreign policy, aiming to deepen U.S. ties with Asian allies like South Korea and Japan to counter China’s growing influence in the region. It includes measures to sanction Chinese officials involved in the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and potential aggression toward Taiwan. These moves signal the U.S.’s intention to assert its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and resist China’s military and economic advancements.

A Bipartisan Push with Political Tensions

While most of these bills received bipartisan support, some aspects stirred political tensions. Democrats have raised concerns about potential discrimination and overreach, particularly in the areas of education and land ownership. Advocacy groups have warned that broad anti-China rhetoric could fuel xenophobia and harm Asian-American communities. Nonetheless, the House’s actions represent a collective acknowledgment that China poses a significant strategic and economic threat to the United States.

The Road Ahead

These bills still need to pass the Senate, and the upcoming elections may influence the legislative landscape. With bipartisan backing on many measures, the push to protect U.S. interests from China is likely to continue shaping America’s national security policies for years to come. As Congress ramps up efforts to curtail Chinese influence, at least the U.S. Congress is sending a clear message: it will not sit idly by while its strategic adversaries gain a foothold on American soil. Whether the Biden Administration will respond is a different question.

ACZ Editor: This is Congress’ effort to lead a clueless Biden Administration to pay attention to an international rival that is eating our lunch. It is a pity that they have to be so detailed as to micromanage the Administration, an aware administration would already be leading this, but such is what we have right now.