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June 23, 2023
Dear John,
Containing Chinese Spyware
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is spying on ports across the globe. I suppose it isn’t much of a shock, given their track record with spying through apps like TikTok, their spy base in Cuba, and CCP “police stations” around the world.
How are they spying on ports? Through Chinese state-sponsored software LOGINK that is used at dozens of ports around the world. This software gives the CCP access to shipping information, cargo valuations via customs clearance forms, destination, and routing information. Access to this information gives the CCP the opportunity to intercept these shipments, blocking our goods from getting to and from America and crippling our supply chain. Further, if the CCP gained access to our shipping data, they could outbid U.S. companies, increasing their advantage in the global supply chain.
I added a provision to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that prohibits the use of LOGINK at U.S. ports. The NDAA passed the House Armed Services Committee this week with my provision included. We know China doesn’t play nice and we should take the necessary steps to prevent them from having access to critical and proprietary U.S. information.
China makes cranes which are used at our ports that have sensors to collect vital information of shipping containers. The cranes would also give the CCP access to disrupt the flow of goods.
More than 90% of traded goods are carried through ocean shipping. It is a vital way to transport large amounts of cargo to countries around the world. Protecting our shipments is critical to ensure national security and food security.
I’ve been cracking down on China’s influence over U.S. ports for years. China’s deceptive and unfair trade practices have been going on for far too long. My Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) became law in June 2022, which brought needed reform to the shipping industry and holds China accountable. While OSRA brought positive change, more can be done. I introduced the Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act to ban the LOGINK software and further investigate foreign shipping exchanges.
Restricting the CCP’s access to critical shipping information is necessary. We can’t trust the CCP with this information. We know they don’t play nice. |
