State Dept. Warns of Using Chinese Networks

Posted 4/22/25

A confidential State Department memo obtained by Nextgov/FCW and Defense One advises U.S. diplomats to warn international partners against doing business with Chinese satellite communications providers, citing risks of espionage and military exploitation by Beijing. The memo also addresses the geopolitical implications of relying on U.S.-based satellite services, notably SpaceX’s Starlink.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Attention subscribers

To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, below, or purchase a new subscription.

If you are a current subscriber, and had an account on our previous site, you already have an account. If you have not yet logged into our new site, click here to reset your password.

Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.

E-edition

April 2025 Export Practitioner

View this issue

Browse other issues

Recent stories

House Passes Trade Security Bills

The House of Representatives passed bills related to trade and economic security: addressing IP protection, procurement of Uyghur Region-origin goods, Chinese cultural missions in the US, and Export License reporting to Congress.

To a Hammer Everything Looks Like a 232 Investigation

Friday's surprise announcement that the Commerce Department has opened a Section 232 investigation on the import of commercial aircraft, jet engines and parts further confirms the embrace of the mechanism by the Trump administration. Since January 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated seven Section 232 investigations under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, focusing on imports deemed critical to national security.

Sides Dig In on CFIUS Steel Review

Nippon Steel continued to state its intention to acquire U.S. Steel, emphasizing the strategic importance of the deal amid rising trade uncertainty and continued U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump. Lawmakers and the United Steelworkers President David McCall remain opposed to the transaction, while rank and file sentiment is mixed.

AI Diffusion Rule Scrapped

The Trump administration reportedly has revoked the AI Diffusion Rule just one week before it was set to take effect. The rule, issued in the final weeks of the Biden administration, would have significantly expanded export license requirements for AI chips, applying them broadly to nearly all countries to prevent diversion to China.

Treasury Ups Pressure on PRC "Teapot" Refiners, Shippers

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today sanctioned a major Chinese "teapot" refinery and several port operators, shipping firms, vessels, and individuals involved in importing Iranian oil, as part of its ongoing campaign to restrict Iran’s petroleum revenues.

Treasury to Pilot Fast Track for Allied Foreign Investment

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced today the launch of a pilot Fast Track Program aimed at streamlining foreign investment review for investors from allied and partner nations. The initiative includes the development of a “Known Investor” portal to allow the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to collect preliminary information from eligible investors before formal filings.