Chinese Majority Owner of Lexmark Blocked By U.S Homeland Security Department

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security blocked the import of products made by Ninestar, the Chinese owner of Lexmark International. Ninestar and eight China-based subsidiaries are blacklisted because of their “participation in business practices that target members of persecuted groups” including Uyghurs. Lexmark positions itself as an American company (with a headquarters in Kentucky), exercising independence from the Chinese government. However, as CNBC reported in an analogous situation, “Huawei says it would never hand data to China’s government. Experts say it wouldn’t have a choice.” Dr. Miles Yu of the Hudson Institute further explains their obligation in a 2– minute video here. But while the federal government may ban such products, state… Read More

Louisiana Banned Some Risky Tech But Dangerous China Tech Still Being Purchased

In 2020 and 2021, Louisiana policymakers passed two laws that banned all state government agencies and publicly funded educational institutions from buying information and communications technology and services covered under Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act. Despite these commendable efforts, the state’s data is still vulnerable due to purchases of dangerous Chinese technology. Although minimal, the $41,241 Louisiana spent on technology from Lexmark and Lenovo between 2019 and 2023 opens the door to intrusion by the government of China. These manufacturers have already been restricted by U.S. military and intelligence agencies due to their connection to the Chinese government and military, yet Louisiana’s Office of the Attorney General and Office of Technology Services are among the agencies that… Read More

More Voices Call for Action to Stop Chinese Control of Semiconductors – Including “Mid-Range Chips”

This week started with an unusual endorsement of active export controls by a prominent financial titan. Warning of the prospect of a Chinese-dominated chip market in his annual letter to shareholders, JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon stated: But China, using subsidies and its economic muscle to dominate batteries, rare earths, semiconductors or EVs, could eventually imperil national security by disrupting our access to these products and materials. We cannot cede these important resources and capabilities to another country. At the time, Ben Noon – writing a must-read story in Foreign Policy –offers a cogent analysis of a problem the U.S. government has so far little considered: how to stop China from controlling the world’s legacy chip market. Noon acknowledges… Read More

Idaho Bill To Restrict China Tech Advances to State Affairs Committee

In 2016, China was Idaho’s number two trade partner, and its rank has now dropped to number seven. At the same time, the Idaho State Legislature is also acting to restrict the use of dangerous China tech that opens the doors to intrusion as China Tech Threat’s recent report shows that the state of Idaho spent over $33 million on restricted Chinese technology. from Lexmark and Lenovo between 2015 and 2022.  Introduced by Idaho Representatives Edward H. Hill and Sage G. Dixon, House Bill 294 adds to existing law to prohibit public entities from entering into certain contracts with companies owned or operated by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The bill passed the House by a vote of 62-7-1… Read More