The US-China Business Council has accused the American government of “protectionism” after it discouraged agencies from buying IT systems from China.
The United States Congress implemented a new review process into technology purchases by the government in a bill signed in March by President Barack Obama.
John Frisbie, president of the US-China Business Council, wrote in a letter sent to the US Senate and House of Representatives: “The national security of the United States is critical, but it must not be used as a means of protectionism.
“Product security is a function of how a product is made, used, and maintained, rather than by whom or where it is made. Imposing a country-specific risk assessment creates a false sense of security if the goal is to improve our nation’s cybersecurity.”
The US government agencies affected by the legislation are NASA, the Justice and Commerce departments and the National Science Foundation.
All will now need approval from law enforcement officials when buying new IT systems from China.
