Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned that Chinese companies are posing a significant threat to US national security by masquerading as American businesses. In a recent Fox News op-ed, Pompeo argues that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is actively using these companies to collect data, steal intellectual property, and infiltrate US institutions. He emphasizes that the threat is not just abroad, but also right here at home.
Pompeo points to the example of TikTok, a popular social media app, as a prime example of a Chinese company hiding its true identity. He argues that despite the company’s attempts to rebrand itself as American, its ties to ByteDance, a Chinese company, remain a serious concern. He also highlights DJI, a Chinese drone manufacturer, which has licensed its software to a US-based entity to circumvent US restrictions.
Moreover, Pompeo cites Milwaukee Tool, a company that claims to be American but is actually owned by a Chinese company, as evidence of the CCP’s tactics. He alleges that this company has been suspected by US customs authorities of using slave labor.
Pompeo contends that the data and information collected by these companies are being used to benefit the CCP, including surveillance, IP theft, unauthorized data collection, and even the infiltration of US military construction sites and bases. He also warns that these companies are gaining a competitive advantage in the US market by receiving support from the CCP, while American consumers are misled into believing they are buying American products.
To address this threat, Pompeo urges Congress to take action. He calls for investigations into the practices of Chinese-headquartered companies, labeling these companies clearly, and preventing them from accessing US government incentives. He also advocates for reciprocity, suggesting that if American businesses are restricted in China, similar restrictions should apply to Chinese companies operating in the US.
Pompeo’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the complex and evolving relationship between the US and China. He argues that it is crucial to recognize the CCP’s influence and to take proactive steps to safeguard US national security and economic interests.
