Trump’s 145% China tariffs get backup from House lawmakers

A new bipartisan effort in the House of Representatives aims to secure the U.S. government from Chinese-made technology following President Donald Trump’s recent tariff hikes against Beijing. Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, is spearheading the Securing America’s Federal Equipment (SAFE) Supply Chains Act in collaboration with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish stricter guidelines for the technology that federal agencies can procure by mandating that they only purchase from “original equipment manufacturers” or “authorized resellers.” This move is designed to prevent the acquisition of U.S. government technology through the “gray market,” an unauthorized channel for buying and selling genuine goods.

Fallon emphasized that the bill aligns with Trump’s tough stance on China, especially in light of the escalating threats posed by Chinese aggression, cyberattacks, and artificial intelligence. He stressed the importance of safeguarding the Department of Defense’s critical infrastructure by ensuring that electronic equipment procured by the military is free from any adversarial influence, particularly from the Chinese Communist Party.

The White House recently announced a significant increase in tariffs on China, raising them to 145% in response to Beijing’s actions. Trump also indicated a willingness to reduce tariffs on countries that have not retaliated against the U.S. back to the baseline of 10%. This move is part of a broader strategy to address longstanding issues of unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft by China.

Fallon commended Trump’s bold leadership in reducing America’s dependence on Communist China and highlighted the national security implications of the SAFE Supply Chains Act. The legislation has garnered bipartisan support in the Senate, where senators John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Gary Peters, D-Mich., are leading the parallel effort.

As the debate over trade and national security continues to unfold, lawmakers are working to strengthen protections against foreign influence in critical government technology procurement. The SAFE Supply Chains Act represents a crucial step towards ensuring the integrity and security of U.S. federal equipment supply chains in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.