U.S. to ban companies from buying communications technology from rival countries like China

The U.S. Department of Commerce issued new regulations Thursday that prohibit U.S. companies from purchasing communications technology from six adversary countries, including China.

In addition to China, the Commerce Department also listed Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela’s Maduro government as foreign adversaries (foreign adversary). Under this new regulation, communications hardware, software and other equipment from these countries may be banned for posing a national security risk. The proposal states that the Department of Commerce will have 180 days to decide whether to approve the transactions or require modifications to the transactions.

The new rule would take effect in 60 days, meaning that its implementation would depend on the decision of President-elect Joe Biden’s administration.

Over the past few years, the U.S. has repeatedly warned its allies that equipment from China’s huawei could pose a threat to their 5G communications security, as the Chinese company could use it to steal intelligence from those countries.