Trump declares national emergency, bans some foreign power equipment over security threats
Last year, Reuters reported that rogue communication devices not listed in product documents had been found in some Chinese solar power inverters by US experts.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and imposing a ban on certain foreign-made equipment in the United States' electricity grid, according to the White House. The declaration stems from what the White House characterized as an "unusual and extraordinary foreign threat" posed by bulk-power systems that may present national security vulnerabilities. This marks the latest move by Washington to address technology threats originating from China.
The order follows a European Commission decision earlier in the year to ban Chinese-made inverters from energy projects funded by public money. Reports from Reuters last year indicated that US experts had discovered rogue communication devices in some Chinese solar power inverters when they dismantled equipment connected to power grids to identify security concerns.
In the executive order, President Trump stated, "I find that the situation with respect to the foreign supply of bulk-power system electric equipment constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States, and hereby declare a national emergency with respect to that threat."
Under the order, foreign-produced bulk-power system electric equipment, including critical software and digital capabilities that could pose cybersecurity or operational risks, will be prohibited from purchase or installation within the United States, the White House stated in a subsequent announcement.
Additionally, the order requests the US Energy Secretary to impose conditions on the ongoing use and operation of such equipment to address issues raised by the Trump administration, as reported by the White House.
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