The leaders of the Senate Finance Committee say the United States should use trade tools to fight back against censorship and digital authoritarianism in China, Russia, and other countries.
The calls by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), chair of the committee, and Mike Crapo (R-ID), ranking member on the committee, is in response to a recent report by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that details the spread of anti-competitive and repressive tactics that hurt internet users in the United States and abroad.
“It is no accident that the same laws that crush free speech in China also prevent American media and technology firms from competing fairly in the most populous country on earth,” Wyden said. “The Chinese regime builds its Great Firewall higher every year, suppressing political dissent, protecting the ruling party, and enabling a human rights disaster. And this repressive model is spreading. If the United States wants to compete in the economy of the future and ensure a free and open internet for people around the world, our government needs to get serious about fighting back against authoritarian censorship.”
The ITC report said China’s government uses a web of practices to block free speech and free expression, both in China and abroad, including data localization; direct censorship of the press, entertainment, and social media; vague laws that encourage self-censorship; VPN blocking; and internet shutdowns.
As a result, Chinese technology companies face little to no competition from American tech firms, as both major companies, mid-tier competitors, and startups cannot operate there.
“Free trade and freedom go hand in hand—which is why Americans succeed so well in the global marketplace,” Crapo said. “American movies, music, literature, press outlets, and digital platforms are global icons because of the right to free expression guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the laws enforcing it. Repressive governments censor us because they know our trade brings our values. U.S. policy must transition to a more active role in pushing back against Chinese censorship and prevent its occurrence in other markets, wherever they may be.”
The report also looks at censorship practices in India, Indonesia, Turkey, and Vietnam. A follow-up report on censorship is expected in July 2022.