Senators Ask Treasury to Add Tech Company to Chinese Military Company List
The Treasury Department should add Chinese technology company Tuya to its Non-Specially Designated National Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List, three Republican senators said. Tuya poses a “national security threat” to the U.S. because of its “significant control” over the international internet-connected market, or Internet of Things, which potentially gives it access to sensitive data on Americans, the senators said in a Sept. 9 letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. They also said Tuya operates under the Chinese government.
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“As a [Chinese Communist Party] company, Tuya is obligated to comply with CCP orders, including requests to share American and other users’ data with the Chinese government,” said the letter, signed by Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, both of Florida, and Tom Cotton of Arkansas. “Continuing to provide Beijing a direct line to Americans’ private data would only empower an unaccountable Chinese firm and contribute to the CCP’s Military-Civil Fusion strategy.” Adding Tuya to the Treasury list would block U.S. people, businesses and entities from conducting a range of investment activities involving the Chinese company. A Treasury spokesperson declined to comment.