Washington. January 14. INTERFAX-The US Department of Commerce, continuing the policy of the US administration, is strengthening control over the supply channels of information and communication technologies and services in connection with threats from such "foreign rivals" as Russia and China, the ministry said in a press release released on Thursday.
Also among the forces hostile to the United States, the Ministry of Trade named Iran, North Korea, Cuba and the "regime of Venezuelan President" Nicolas Maduro.
"Aggressively protecting the supply chains of information and communication technologies and services will protect American citizens and businesses from vulnerabilities that could undermine the privacy, integrity, and availability of their personal information and sensitive data in favor of hostile foreign forces and those who want to harm the United States," said Wilbur Ross, head of the Department of Commerce.
According to him, these actions are key measures of the administration of President Donald Trump in ensuring the security of the United States.
"From day one, President Trump has been committed to protecting the national security of all Americans, and implementing this rule is key to his administration's efforts to ensure America's primacy and hold the unscrupulous accountable," Ross said.
The resolution comes into force within 60 days from the date of its publication.
The US Department of Commerce recalls that on May 15, 2019, Trump issued an order "which gives the Secretary of Commerce the authority to impose bans on certain transactions in the field of information and communication technologies" that are "created, developed, produced or supplied by persons owned, controlled or under the jurisdiction or direction of foreign adversaries", as well as that "pose an unjustified or unacceptable risk to the national security" of the United States.