Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Bipartisan Bill Seeks Review of Chinese Tech Bans
Two American lawmakers want to change how the United States blocks certain foreign technology.
Their bill would make the Federal Communications Commission explain its decisions more clearly.
Congress would get more chances to review equipment placed on the FCC’s Covered List.
The Commerce Department would also provide input on some decisions.
The FCC would need to warn Congress at least seven days before adding something to the list.
The bill would focus on technology made by companies controlled by countries considered foreign adversaries.
The FCC has previously listed equipment from Chinese companies such as Huawei, ZTE, Dahua and Hikvision.
The proposal was announced before Donald Trump and Xi Jinping were expected to discuss technology, artificial intelligence and trade.
Representatives Brett Guthrie and Frank Pallone proposed legislation to overhaul procedures for the FCC’s Covered List.
The bill would increase congressional oversight and require Commerce Department input on certain foreign-equipment decisions.
The FCC would have to notify Congress at least seven days before adding technology or services to the list.
The proposal would limit listings to technology made by entities controlled by designated foreign adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.
The legislation comes before planned Trump-Xi talks expected to address technology, artificial intelligence, trade and broader tensions.
- Who
- Representatives Brett Guthrie and Frank Pallone proposed the bill; the FCC, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are central to the surrounding policy and diplomatic developments.
- What
- The Communications and Technology Transparency Act of 2026 would revise the process for adding and removing technology from the FCC’s Covered List.
- When
- The proposal was announced on Wednesday, ahead of the scheduled Trump-Xi talks on Thursday, during Xi’s three-day 2026 visit to the United States.
- Where
- The legislative proposal concerns the United States and its FCC process; Xi arrived at Joint Base Andrews for his US visit.
- Why
- The lawmakers said the current process lacks sufficient transparency, consistency and clarity as technology advances, while US officials cite national security concerns about covered equipment.
Greater Oversight and Transparency
Existing National-Security Restrictions
How the Covered List should operate
Greater Oversight and Transparency
Brett Guthrie and Frank Pallone say the FCC’s process needs greater transparency, consistency and clarity, with stronger congressional oversight and Commerce Department input.
Existing National-Security Restrictions
The FCC has used the Covered List to restrict Chinese equipment that US authorities consider an unacceptable national-security risk.
Scope of technology restrictions
Greater Oversight and Transparency
The proposed bill would require listed information and communications technology or services to be produced by an entity controlled by a designated foreign adversary.
Existing National-Security Restrictions
The FCC has already used the list to restrict Chinese drones, robots, power inverters and telecommunications equipment, including products linked to companies that previously received approval.
- Proposed legislation
- Communications and Technology Transparency Act of 2026
- Sponsors
- Brett Guthrie, Republican chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Frank Pallone, the panel’s top Democrat
- Affected process
- The Federal Communications Commission’s Covered List
- Congressional notice
- The FCC would report to Congress at least seven days before adding an item to the list
- Foreign adversaries named
- The People’s Republic of China, Russian Federation, Islamic Republic of Iran and Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea
- Previously flagged Chinese companies
- Huawei, Dahua, ZTE and Hikvision
- Diplomatic context
- The proposal came before Trump-Xi talks involving technology, artificial intelligence, trade and strained US-China relations