Washington, D.C. is on high alert now. All it took was one Senator sending one letter.
And now Joe Biden’s in a total panic after he received an urgent message from the U.S. Senate.
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall recently urged the Biden administration to scrutinize potential national security risks stemming from a firm associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In a letter shared with reporters, Marshall expressed concerns about Cnano USA Inc., which plans to construct a chemical plant near Kansas City, approximately 70 miles from Whiteman Air Force Base.
Cnano USA’s parent company, Cnano Jiangsu Technology Co., Ltd., has ties to the CCP and has participated in programs supporting China’s military development. Marshall’s letter specifically requests expert assessments from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Treasury Department regarding any threats posed by this facility to military and national security infrastructure, particularly installations like Fort Leavenworth and Whiteman Air Force Base.
“I am requesting your expert, professional assessment of any national/military security threats that this Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-linked facility may pose to our military and national security infrastructure,” the urgent letter from the U.S. Senator of Kansas reads.
“Please focus your assessment on the American military installations listed in my previous letter, namely Fort Leavenworth, Whiteman Air Force Base, and Honeywell’s Kansas City National Security Campus,” the letter adds.
Earlier this year, Marshall, along with Representative Jake LaTurner and other Republican lawmakers, called for an investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) into Cnano USA’s plans. The DOD responded, promising a comprehensive reply by the end of March.
Marshall’s letter also queries the DOD and Treasury Department about the CCP affiliations of Cnano employees and any government subsidies received. Recent reports indicate that Cnano Jiangsu has received significant funding from the Chinese government for various programs, including the 863 Program, known for its focus on acquiring sensitive technology and economic information.
“Are you aware of any Chinese Communist Party members within Cnano?” Marshall asks of the Biden administration in the letter. “Do any of the 28 CCP Party members employed by Cnano Jiangsu have ties to the People’s Liberation Army?”
The letter further raises concerns about Cnano USA’s potential classification as a “foreign principal” under Kansas state law, particularly following the passage of SB172, which restricts land ownership near military installations by entities connected to adversarial nations.
Marshall emphasizes the urgency of obtaining answers to these inquiries and underscores the importance of safeguarding American military infrastructure.
“It is imperative that we get urgent answers to these pressing questions,” Marshall concludes in his letter. “I look forward to hearing your responses and seeing your plan to protect American military infrastructure.”
China’s aggressive acquisition of technology and critical infrastructure assets, often through state-backed companies, raises fears that sensitive technologies or infrastructure could fall under Chinese control. This control could potentially compromise U.S. national security interests if these assets are used in ways that undermine American security or provide China with a strategic advantage.
Not only that, but the Chinese are not the innocent free market capitalists that they try to suggest they are so that major world powers like the U.S. and the U.K. will leave their schemes alone.
Chinese companies have been accused of engaging in intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer as part of their expansion efforts. By acquiring or investing in U.S. companies, Chinese firms may gain access to valuable intellectual property, trade secrets, and proprietary technologies. This not only harms American companies by undermining their competitive advantage but also threatens U.S. innovation and economic competitiveness.
There’s also plenty of concerns of regional influence leading to more and more Chinese collusion reaching the political shores of Washington, D.C.
Chinese takeovers of U.S. industries can also be seen as part of China’s broader geopolitical strategy to expand its influence and power globally. By gaining control or significant stakes in key industries, China can exert influence over supply chains, markets, and international trade dynamics, potentially diminishing U.S. influence and strengthening China’s position on the world stage.
Concerns also exist about the potential for Chinese state-backed companies to distort markets and unfairly compete with U.S. firms. Subsidies, preferential treatment, and other forms of government support provided to Chinese companies could create an uneven playing field, disadvantaging American businesses and undermining free and fair competition.
Over-reliance on Chinese-controlled industries or supply chains can pose risks to U.S. economic resilience and security. Disruptions in the supply of critical goods or services due to geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, or other factors could have significant consequences for the U.S. economy and national security.
The Conservative Column will keep you updated on any statements from the Biden administration in response to this letter from Senator Marshall.
