The United States has expanded restrictions on Chinese technology imports, with the Federal Communications Commission announcing a broader ban on telecommunications and surveillance equipment from several major Chinese manufacturers. The move extends earlier national security restrictions and is aimed at reducing risks linked to critical communications infrastructure.
Ban Extended to Older Equipment Models
The expanded restrictions build on an FCC order issued in 2022, which barred the import of newly developed telecommunications and video surveillance equipment made by Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision and Dahua.
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Under the latest order, the ban will also apply to older models of equipment that had previously been allowed into the U.S. market. The FCC said the affected products are used in public safety systems, government facilities, critical infrastructure security and other applications considered important to national security.
The new rules are expected to take effect in early July. The FCC clarified that individuals and organisations already using the affected devices will be allowed to continue operating existing equipment.
FCC Tightens Technology Approval Process
The latest action follows a series of measures against Chinese technology products. In December, the FCC banned imports of all newly developed Chinese drones. Earlier this year, it also prohibited the import of new models of Chinese-made consumer routers used to connect computers, smartphones and smart devices to the internet.
Those earlier restrictions did not extend to previously approved models of drones and routers. The latest order marks a broader step by covering older models of telecom and surveillance equipment.
The FCC has also tightened its device approval process. In October, the commission unanimously voted to block new approvals for electronic devices containing components supplied by companies on its national security list. The decision also gave the agency authority, in certain circumstances, to restrict equipment that had already received regulatory approval.
Legal Challenge and Wider China Curbs
Chinese surveillance equipment manufacturer Hikvision has challenged the FCC’s decision in court, arguing that the regulator exceeded its legal authority and lacked sufficient justification for the restrictions. The legal proceedings remain ongoing.
The FCC is also considering a proposal that would prohibit U.S. telecommunications carriers from interconnecting with Chinese telecom companies. If implemented, the measure could effectively prevent Chinese telecommunications firms from operating data centres within the United States.
Chinese officials and the companies named in the latest order did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Analysts say the expanded restrictions reflect continuing strategic and technology-related tensions between the United States and China, particularly in telecommunications, cybersecurity, surveillance systems and critical infrastructure.
