[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 21, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 CHINA

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, finally, there is a topic I have 
discussed before--the administration's moves to block access to 
telecommunications equipment to China's state-controlled and state-
backed firms, like Huawei. I firmly back these measures. Our defense, 
law enforcement, and intelligence officials have publicly testified 
that Huawei and other Chinese telecom companies pose a national threat 
to the security of the United States. Their technology could allow 
China to spy on Americans, steal their data, and otherwise conduct 
espionage.
  Also, there is another point. China has taken advantage of us. There 
is a huge consensus now in America that that has happened. We didn't 
have that consensus even 5 years ago, but whether it is business or 
labor, average American citizens, Democrats, or Republicans, everyone 
agrees that China takes advantage, and one of the main ways they take 
advantage is they don't let our companies that have top-line products 
sell them in China, except under restrictions that make it almost 
impossible for them to do it. Our major tech companies are excluded 
from China, but China, at the same time, can sell anything it wants 
here.
  ``Reciprocity'' should be our watch word. If Google or Facebook or 
any of our other companies can't sell in China, their top companies 
shouldn't sell here until they let us in. That is what has happened 
with Huawei, in addition to the national security concerns, and it 
makes sense.
  So I say to the Commerce Department: Stay strong.
  We are now talking about some 90-day delay. I hope this is not a 
prelude to what we did with ZTE, when we stood tough at the beginning. 
It had an effect, and then we backed off.
  President Trump, don't back off on Huawei.
  Commerce Secretary Ross, don't back off on Huawei.
  Secretary of Treasury Mnuchin and Ambassador Lighthizer, stay strong.
  This will get the Chinese to play fair; talking won't. Tariffs are 
one tool; this is another. We need all the tools in our toolbox to get 
China to play fair.
  I yield the floor.

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