U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and John Garamendi (D-CA) introduced legislation Wednesday that would thwart Chinese influence on America’s supply chain.
The Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act would build upon previous legislation, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, that went into effect last year. The Reform Implementation Act would give the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) the authority to protect U.S. ports, shippers, and manufacturers from the Chinese Communist Party’s influence, the Congressmen said.
“We’ve seen the positive results of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, but there is more to be done to stay tough on China,” Johnson said. “The Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act gives the FMC the authority to protect U.S. ports, shippers, and manufacturers from the CCP’s influence. Fair trade practices benefit all parts of the supply chain from producer to manufacturer, shipper to consumer.”
The bill would prohibit U.S. ports from using Chinese state-sponsored LOGINK software, allow the FMC to investigate foreign shipping exchanges like the Shanghai Shipping Exchange to pre-empt improper business practices, and authorize the FMC to streamline data standards for maritime freight logistics, officials said.
“Last June, Congress passed our landmark reform to the nation’s ocean shipping laws for the first time in nearly a quarter century to protect American businesses and consumers from price gouging by foreign-flagged ocean liners,” Garamendi said. “After years of endless happy talk in Washington, we are finally making free trade fair trade and stopping Chinese state-controlled companies from ripping off our country and gutting our manufacturing jobs. Our implementation bill introduced today will finish the job.”
The legislation is supported by the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the Consumer Brands Association, the National Milk Producers Federation, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, the Coalition for Reimagined Mobility, and the National Industrial Transportation League.