Summary

Directs the President, through the Secretary of Commerce and in coordination with the Secretary of State, to create a national strategy to stop foreign adversaries from obtaining items used to build, operate, or maintain undersea communications cables. The strategy must identify the key items and technologies at risk, evaluate export controls, work with allies that hold market share, track standards-setting efforts, flag entities that may need controls, and set up reporting and briefings to Congress. It also calls for negotiations with allies to align rules and include penalties for violations, plus reviews of any regulations needed to carry out the strategy.

Key Points

• Orders a national strategy to block foreign adversaries from obtaining undersea cable-related items.
• Commerce leads the effort, coordinating closely with State and other agencies.
• Requires identifying critical items, technologies, and services tied to undersea cables.
• Calls for evaluating current and new export controls, including potential entity-based controls.
• Emphasizes partnering with allies that hold market share in cable technologies.
• Tracks standards-setting work and proposes U.S. engagement to reduce adversary influence.
• Directs negotiations for aligned international agreements that include penalties for violations.
• Mandates reports and briefings to Congress on strategy development and implementation.
• Requires reviewing regulatory gaps and considering rulemaking to carry out the strategy.

Categories & Tags