Last Thursday marked a significant step in US-Chinese relations, as 11 House lawmakers from both sides of the aisle initiated an ambitious endeavor to sanction Chinese drone manufacturer Autel Robotics potentially due to rising national security concerns.
An Open Letter to the Biden Administration
The bipartisan group, led by House China select committee chair Mike Gallagher, a Republican, and top Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, dispatched a request for a comprehensive examination of Autel Robotics to multiple departments - Commerce, Defense, and Treasury. They pointed their attention towards Autel Robotics, an offspring of parent company Autel Intelligent Technology.
Eyebrows were raised due to the company's transparent association with China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), suggesting a potential danger to the United States' national security. The lawmakers highlighted that local enforcement, state, and local government bodies might unintentionally expose sensitive data nationwide by procuring and operating Autel drones.
Mounting Tensions
The Pentagon disclosed that it plans to reply to this high-profile letter. While not commenting immediately, the Commerce and Treasury departments must draft responses. Autel, on the other hand, has yet to make a public statement.
Comic aside, the situation took a graver tone when Representative Elise Stefanik, another undersigned, exhibited her concern over the drones, branding them "an unacceptable national security risk" due to their make in Communist China.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court Shuts Down Arizona Legislators' Efforts to Avoid Depositions in Voting Suit
A Backdrop of Precedence
In 2020, the Commerce Department initiated export restrictions against DJI, another drone manufacturer based in China. They alleged the company as being complicit in the systemic repression of China's Uyghur minority and offering aid to the military.
In light of this, the panel of lawmakers inquired whether Autel Robotics, a Chinese Drone Maker, should be subjected to similar restrictions. They expressed disquiet over the potential involvement of Autel's technology in Xinjiang and raised suspicions that the company could be assisting the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Waves of Legislation
Earlier this month, Gallagher and Krishnamoorthi proposed legislation prohibiting the U.S. government from purchasing Chinese drones. This move is reminiscent of the 2019 Congress ban, which outlawed the procurement or use of drones and drone components crafted in China by the Pentagon.
The U.S. government has taken a broader set of measures to curb the purchase of Chinese-made drones. Included in this was the grounding of approximately 800 drones by the U.S. Interior Department at the start of 2020.
The Scale of the Situation
At this juncture, over 50% of drones sold in the U.S. are produced by DJI. Public safety agencies tend to use these drones, sparking acknowledgment from Republican lawmakers.
As the controversy brews, all eyes fall upon those in power and their decisions in the face of this emerging global challenge.
If you have been adversely affected by these developments or need guidance about laws related to drone usage, seeking legal advice could be immensely beneficial and provide peace of mind. Expert legal professionals can clarify these matters and help you navigate this evolving landscape.
