COUNTER Act of 2025

This bill directs the State and Defense Departments to make a plan to respond to China’s push to build or access military sites in other countries. The findings say China is growing its overseas military support and bases, which could let it watch or disrupt U.S. operations; examples include a base in Djibouti and access at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base. The aim is to protect the freedom of movement and safety of the U.S. and its allies by acting sooner, working together across U.S. agencies, and coordinating closely with partners overseas .

Key points

• Who is affected: The State and Defense Departments, the U.S. intelligence community, and other federal agencies, plus U.S. allies and partners who may face pressure from China to host military sites .
• What changes: Within 180 days, the Director of National Intelligence must deliver an assessment of risks from China’s overseas bases. Within 180 days, State and Defense must send a strategy that identifies at least five highest‑risk locations, lists involved agencies and needed resources, and outlines steps to prevent new bases and persuade foreign governments not to host them. A cross‑agency task force must be set up within 90 days after the strategy. The plan must be reviewed and reported on every four years.
• Why it matters: The plan is meant to keep U.S. forces and allies safer and able to move freely, and to stay ahead of China’s overseas military expansion rather than reacting after the fact .