Legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) would prohibit an entity that is fully or partially state-owned by China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran, from owning, leasing, or operating Amerian port facilities.
“America’s ports are essential gateways for trade and commerce, which provide the foundation of our economy as well as national security,” Rep. Calvert said on Jan. 16. “Allowing foreign adversaries, like China, Russia, North Korea and Iran to own and operate port infrastructure would threaten that very foundation and create a serious liability. Congress must take action and protect this vital infrastructure.”
The congressman on Jan. 9 introduced the Secure Our Ports Act, H.R. 252, to bolster national security by prohibiting foreign adversaries from owning and operating critical infrastructure in the United States.
To support his concerns about national security, Rep. Calvert cited a Jan. 7 list issued by the U.S. Department of Defense that included a number of Chinese shipping firms identified as military in nature, as well as a September 2024 report issued by Republicans on the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party that highlighted national security concerns for Chinese-owned enterprises influencing critical port infrastructure.
H.R. 252 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.