US lawmakers want Trump to cut the spy supply chain to China, Russia

US lawmakers from both major parties are pressing the Trump administration to close what they describe as loopholes that allow American citizens and companies to support Chinese and Russian civilian intelligence and security agencies.

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden and Republican Senator John Cornyn have urged Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to strengthen restrictions preventing foreign intelligence agencies from hiring US-based consultants and accessing advanced American surveillance, cyber and artificial intelligence technology.

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The lawmakers made the demand in a letter dated Tuesday, arguing that existing rules leave significant gaps in US national security protections.

"Foreign intelligence agencies in many countries can still legally hire consultants in the United States and buy advanced U.S. surveillance, cyber, and artificial intelligence technology, for use in their intelligence operations to target Americans, and operate against American national security and foreign policy interests," the senators wrote in the letter.

Law passed, but loopholes remain

Congress moved to restrict such activity in 2018 by prohibiting Americans from providing support to foreign military intelligence agencies. However, the law did not cover similar civilian-led intelligence and security organisations, leaving a potential avenue for foreign agencies to obtain assistance from US citizens and businesses.

The issue gained wider attention in 2019 after Reuters reported that the United Arab Emirates had hired more than a dozen former US intelligence operatives to conduct hacking operations targeting dissidents, journalists and Americans.

Congress subsequently approved legislation in 2022 aimed at strengthening controls. However, the implementing rules have still not been finalised, according to Wyden and Cornyn.

The senators said the delay has left "glaring loopholes that harm U.S. national security and foreign policy interests".

Pressure builds over China

The lawmakers' push comes as pressure grows in Congress for the Trump administration to take a tougher approach towards China, particularly ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to Washington next month.

The issue has drawn bipartisan concern beyond intelligence and security matters.

Republican Congressman John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, earlier this month called on the administration to ensure that chipmakers do not supply advanced logic chips to Chinese companies considered untrusted.

The Trump administration's decision earlier this year to allow Nvidia to sell advanced artificial intelligence chips to China has also faced criticism from lawmakers in both parties.

Bipartisan backing

The letter was also signed by Democratic Senator Peter Welch, Republican Congressmen Michael McCaul and Pat Harrigan, and Democratic Congresswoman Sara Jacobs.

The Commerce Department, along with the Chinese and Russian embassies in Washington, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.