1 week ago
Lawmakers Urge Trump to Ban Aid to Chinese Security Agencies
Some U.S. lawmakers want to stop Americans and American companies from helping Chinese and Russian civilian spy agencies.
They say foreign agencies can still hire experts in the United States and buy advanced technology.
The technology could include surveillance, cyber, and artificial intelligence tools.
Lawmakers worry these tools could be used against Americans.
A 2018 law already banned help for foreign military intelligence agencies.
However, the lawmakers say civilian intelligence groups are not clearly covered.
Rules from a later congressional measure have not been completed.
Both Republicans and Democrats signed the letter asking for stronger controls.
Bipartisan lawmakers urged the Trump administration to bar Americans and U.S. businesses from supporting Chinese and Russian civilian intelligence and security agencies.
Senators Ron Wyden and John Cornyn said unfinished rules leave loopholes that could enable foreign agencies to hire U.S. consultants and obtain advanced American technology.
A 2018 law banned support for foreign military intelligence agencies but did not clearly cover comparable civilian-led organizations.
The lawmakers cited surveillance, cyber, and artificial intelligence tools that could be used against Americans and U.S. national security interests.
The letter came amid bipartisan pressure for tougher China policies, including controls on advanced logic chips and AI chips sold to China.
- Who
- Senators Ron Wyden and John Cornyn, joined by other Republican and Democratic lawmakers, including John Moolenaar, Peter Welch, Michael McCaul, Pat Harrigan, and Sara Jacobs.
- What
- They urged the Trump administration to prohibit Americans and U.S. businesses from supporting Chinese and Russian civilian intelligence and security agencies.
- Where
- The request was directed to the United States Department of Commerce in Washington and concerns assistance provided by Americans and U.S. businesses.
- When
- The letter was dated Tuesday, August 25; the report said it came ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Washington the following month.
- Why
- The lawmakers said unfinished rules leave loopholes allowing foreign agencies to obtain U.S. expertise and advanced technology for intelligence operations against Americans and U.S. interests.
Key facts
- Lead lawmakers
- Democratic Senator Ron Wyden and Republican Senator John Cornyn
- Requested action
- Bar Americans and U.S. businesses from supporting Chinese and Russian civilian intelligence and security agencies
- Unfinished rules
- Rules implementing a 2022 congressional measure to strengthen controls had not been finalized
- Existing law
- A 2018 law banned support for foreign military intelligence agencies but did not clearly cover similar civilian organizations
- Technology cited
- Surveillance, cyber, and artificial intelligence technology
- China-related pressure
- Lawmakers urged controls on advanced logic chips sent to untrusted Chinese firms
- Nvidia policy
- The Trump administration had allowed Nvidia to sell advanced AI chips to China, a decision criticized by lawmakers from both parties
- Responses
- The Commerce Department and the Chinese and Russian embassies did not immediately comment
Quotes
Ron Wyden and John Cornyn
A Democratic senator and a Republican senator who jointly wrote the letter to the Commerce secretary
“Foreign intelligence agencies in many countries can still legally hire consultants in the United States and buy advanced U.S. surveillance, cyber, and artificial intelligence technology, for use in their intelligence operations to target Americans, and operate against American national security and foreign policy interests.”
theprint.in
NDTV
“glaring loopholes that harm US national security and foreign policy interests”
NDTV
Sources
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