Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Mar 14: US Senator Tom Cotton has introduced new legislation aimed at preventing Chinese nationals and companies linked to Beijing from transporting sensitive American military cargo, citing concerns about potential national security risks.
The proposed Trucking Security and CCP Disclosure Act would require companies involved in transporting military freight for the United States Department of Defense to undergo strict national security screening. It would also bar firms connected to the Chinese Communist Party or entities linked to China’s military from participating in such contracts.
Under the bill, trucking companies carrying defence-related shipments would need to certify that they have no ties to the Chinese Communist Party or to Chinese organisations considered national security threats.
Cotton said the legislation is necessary to prevent potential intelligence gathering through logistics networks tied to military cargo. He argued that adversaries could exploit trucking operations to access sensitive information related to US defence technology.
The proposal also instructs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to establish a Secure Defence Freight Carrier Registry, a database of carriers that have passed national security checks and are authorised to transport military shipments.
Companies seeking approval would be required to demonstrate that they are not owned or controlled by Chinese military-linked firms and have no major business relationships with such entities.
The requirements would apply not only to primary contractors but also to subcontractors and independent owner-operators involved in transporting defence cargo.
According to the proposed legislation, companies handling freight for the Department of Defense must submit certifications confirming they are not connected to entities listed as Chinese military companies. Firms that knowingly provide false certifications could face suspension or permanent exclusion from defence contracts, along with potential civil penalties.
The measure also mandates that certification records be maintained for at least five years and that companies undergo periodic security reviews.
A companion bill has been introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Representative Elise Stefanik, who said the legislation aims to close a gap in current procurement rules.
Stefanik said many Americans would be surprised to learn that existing law does not explicitly prohibit companies linked to China’s military from receiving transportation contracts connected to US defence programmes. She added that the bill would create a clear barrier between the Chinese Communist Party and contracts involving military freight.
The proposal comes as lawmakers in Washington intensify scrutiny of Chinese involvement in supply chains associated with US defence programmes.