US moves to ban China tech from submarine cable networks: FT
3 Min Read
The US FCC is moving to ban Chinese-linked submarine cables from connecting to American territory, using allegations of espionage to tighten Washington's grip over global internet infrastructure.
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Operators handle an undersea fiber optic cable, undated (AFP)
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is preparing to introduce a new rule that would effectively block submarine cables connected to Chinese technology or ownership from linking to American territory, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The proposed measure, set for a vote on August 7, is part of a growing effort by Washington to limit Beijing’s influence over global communications infrastructure.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr told the Financial Times, "Submarine cables are the unsung heroes of global communications, carrying 99 per cent of all Internet traffic." He invoked claims of foreign interference, primarily targeting China, to justify increased US control over global communications infrastructure.
"We have seen submarine cable infrastructure threatened in recent years by foreign adversaries, like China. We are therefore taking action here to guard our submarine cables against foreign adversary ownership, and access as well as cyber and physical threats."
Carr, a Republican appointee, is expected to be joined by two Democratic commissioners in supporting the rule, which would bar companies from receiving FCC licenses to build, operate, or lease any new submarine cable linked to Chinese entities. The measure also responds to a significant cyber campaign known as Salt Typhoon, allegedly carried out by China, which exposed the cost and scale of securing outdated US telecom infrastructure.
Cables without China
The regulation specifically targets Chinese firms such as Huawei and its cable subsidiary HMN Tech, which currently leads China’s undersea cable manufacturing sector. The FCC official involved in the rule’s drafting noted that it would "presumptively prohibit Huawei from getting a licence for a cable and prohibit any cable from using Huawei equipment." Other state-owned telecom giants like China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile, while involved in existing cable routes, will be affected only in future applications.
Carr added that the importance of submarine cables is rising in parallel with the US expansion of AI infrastructure and data centers. "President [Donald] Trump has long recognised ‘economic security is national security’," he said.
To support this direction, the FCC has also created a national security unit focused on risks posed by China. Additionally, a second regulatory move is expected to ease the licensing process for American companies, including major players like Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, once they meet predefined security criteria.
Read more: US attempting to oust China from undersea internet cable network
Experts say the rule reflects a broader shift in US strategic thinking. Bryan Burack of the Heritage Foundation described it as a continuation of the Trump administration’s "America First Investment Policy," which aims to distance the US from adversarial control over critical infrastructure.
Craig Singleton, from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, added, "In an era when hostile powers treat critical infrastructure as a strategic weapon, leaving submarine cables unchecked would be strategic malpractice. This rule is a clear step towards digital decoupling where it matters most — beneath the surface."
