Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Counter China’s Influence at Global Ports

The United States needs to monitor Chinese activities at domestic and foreign ports, according to Sen. Ted Budd.

Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) walks in ahead of the Senate Republican leadership election in Washington on Nov. 13, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

A bipartisan piece of legislation targeting communist China’s malign influence has been introduced in both the House and the Senate to protect U.S. interests at ports around the world.

Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) introduced the Strategic Ports Reporting Act (S.777) on Feb. 27. In a statement, Budd said China’s efforts to control global trade, as evidenced by its influence on the Panama Canal, necessitated the legislation.