Executive Order Seeks to Block Risky Technology

In an effort to secure the digital supply chain for the United States, President Trump issued a policy on May 15 prohibiting the trade of information and communications technology or services designed, developed, manufactured or supplied by adversaries. 

The Executive Order on Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain states that the risk of using such technology and services constitutes a national emergency.

Based on discussions with governmental leaders—such as the attorney general, the secretaries of Treasury, State, Defense and Homeland Security, the U.S. Trade Representative, the Director of National Intelligence and others—the Secretary of Commerce will identify which supply chain transactions pose a threat to America.

The Department of Commerce must promulgate regulations within 150 days and set up a risk review procedure. The Commerce Secretary is to submit reports to Congress detailing the threats to the U.S. government, critical infrastructure and the American people from information and communications technology or services from adversaries. In addition, the Secretary of Homeland Security will provide an assessment of the vulnerabilities in hardware, software and services and the extent to which U.S. service providers and critical infrastructure entities rely on that technology.

After a year, the Commerce Secretary must report as to whether the actions taken are sufficient to mitigate the risks of adversarial technology.