House GOP Proposes Bold Measure Targeting China’s Access to U.S. Ports

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The House GOP is rolling out a new bill to prevent China from accessing U.S. ports, citing national security concerns.

At a Glance

  • GOP Rep. Michelle Steel introduces the Secure Our Ports Act to block China from U.S. ports
  • The bill targets companies owned by state-owned enterprises in China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran
  • Steel emphasizes the need to restrict enemy governments from accessing critical trade hubs
  • Legislation aims to protect U.S. supply chains and national security

Overview of the New Bill

GOP Rep. Michelle Steel introduces a bill designed to block China and other adversaries from accessing U.S. ports. The bill, named the Secure Our Ports Act, focuses on companies fully or partially owned by state-owned enterprises in China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Lawmakers believe this measure will enhance national security by preventing potential foreign influence on vital trade hubs.

The bill comes in response to the rising concerns over geopolitical tensions and the growing presence of China-owned conglomerates in American ports. Southern California, home to two of the largest U.S. ports—Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach—has seen significant activities from companies like COSCO and COFCO.

Rationale Behind the Legislation

The bill aims to safeguard the U.S. supply chain and ensure national security. According to Rep. Steel, “Congress must protect America’s supply chains by restricting enemy governments from having high-level access to our ports.”l

National security and defense officials have raised alarms about Chinese equipment and cranes at U.S. ports potentially being used for surveillance. This legislation seeks to address these concerns by blocking potential risks from adversaries.

National Defense Authorizations and LOGINK

The U.S. Congress has already passed legislation banning the Pentagon from using any seaport reliant on the Chinese logistics platform LOGINK. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission highlighted that LOGINK could identify U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities and track military cargo.

LOGINK operates under the Chinese Communist Party and has investments in about 100 ports across more than 60 nations, allowing Beijing to monitor America’s military supply chain. The LOGINK ban impacts any port using the platform and will take effect six months after President Joe Biden signs the bill.

Impact and Future Actions

There are no LOGINK port contracts in the U.S., but the NDAA mandates a study on how foreign influence in the 15 largest American container ports might affect national and economic security. Congress aims to create an alternative to LOGINK; however, developing a substitute platform might take up to five years.

The bill’s co-sponsors include Reps. Stephanie Bice, Ken Calvert, Rick Crawford, Richard Hudson, Doug LaMalfa, Nicole Malliotakis, James Moylan, Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, John Rutherford, and Randy Weber. This bipartisan support highlights the critical importance of the legislation.

Conclusion

This new bill signifies a decisive step by Congress to address the growing threat posed by China’s influence on U.S. port infrastructure. Through careful legislative measures, lawmakers hope to bolster national security and maintain the sovereignty of America’s critical trade hubs. The passage of this bill could be a pivotal moment in safeguarding the nation’s economic and strategic interests.

“LOGINK’s visibility into global shipping and supply chains could also enable the Chinese government to identify U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities and to track shipments of U.S. military cargo on commercial freight.” – The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC)

Sources

  1. House GOP rolling out bill to block China from accessing US ports
  1. House GOP rolling out bill to block China from accessing US ports
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  1. US Bans Pentagon From Using Chinese Port Logistics Platform
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  2. Biden administration warns Congress about China’s major presence at critical US ports
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  1. H.R.815 – Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.
  1. Chinese-made port cranes in US included ‘backdoor’ modems, House report says
  1. Chinese Cargo Cranes at U.S. Ports Pose Espionage Risk, Probe Finds