Trump Administration Delivers on RSC’s Call to Ban Chinese Power Inverters

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially banned imports of new Chinese-made power inverters, after national security concerns raised by Republican Study Committee (RSC) members in November were confirmed by national security officials, who determined the devices pose an unacceptable risk to the country.

With this action, the FCC will no longer issue authorization for these devices to be imported, sold, or marketed in the United States. The inverters connect solar panels, batteries, and data centers to the electric grid, making them a critical entry point for the vulnerabilities national security officials flagged. This announcement follows a Reuters investigation revealing that Chinese-manufactured inverters already deployed across the nation carry hidden communication devices capable of bypassing firewalls and handing adversaries remote access to large portions of the American grid.

Members of the Republican Study Committee applauded this measure, following their calls on the Administration to restrict imports of Chinese-made electric grid components that threaten our national and energy security.

“The United States' electric grid cannot be another avenue for influence from our adversaries. For years, the Chinese Communist Party has worked to embed itself inside our critical infrastructure, and our technology must never answer to a foreign power. We sounded the alarm last year because our enemies will exploit every vulnerability we leave open, and this Administration understood the stakes. I am grateful President Trump and his team took the bold action necessary to shut this threat down swiftly,” said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11).

“From stealing technology to gaining access to sensitive information, the Chinese Communist Party is the greatest threat to American national security and prosperity.  Following a report that Chinese-manufactured solar and battery inverters deployed across the nation contain undisclosed communication devices, my RSC colleagues and I urged the Department of Commerce to take action to safeguard our grid and protect our data. I applaud the Trump Administration’s decision to ban imports of new power adapters and cut off access to Communist China,” said RSC Vice Chair Ben Cline (VA-06).

“Keeping America's power grid secure means keeping high-risk Chinese technology out of it,” said RSC National Security Task Force Chairman Zach Nunn (IA-03). “I've spent my career tracking threats from China, Russia, and Iran, and I know the Chinese Communist Party doesn't export critical technology out of goodwill—it exports it to gain leverage. I applaud the Administration for listening to our warning and taking action to protect America's critical infrastructure and strengthen our domestic energy supply chain. Now we need to finish the job by empowering American workers and manufacturers to build the energy infrastructure Iowa families rely on every day.”

“Secure energy infrastructure is essential to our economy, our national security, and our quality of life,” said Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18). “As our demand for electricity continues to grow, we should be reducing vulnerabilities in our electric grid, not introducing new ones through unnecessary dependence on China. I'm pleased the Federal Communications Commission acted on the concerns we raised last year by restricting imports of Chinese-manufactured power inverters. It's an important step toward building a more resilient electric grid.”

“Communist China should never have a back door into America’s electric grid,” said Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09). “I commend the Trump administration for listening to our concerns and for blocking dangerous Chinese-made inverters from entering our country. This is a major win for our national security, American workers, and the reliability of our power grid.”

“The Chinese Communist Party has spent years looking for ways to embed itself in America's critical infrastructure. As our electric grid evolves to support AI, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation energy systems, we should be reducing those vulnerabilities, not expanding them,” said Rep. Pat Harrigan (NC-10). “That's why I urged the Administration to restrict these imports last year, and I'm pleased to see decisive action taken. Securing the technologies that power America is every bit as important as securing the networks that defend it.”

“Thank you to the Trump Administration for taking this necessary and commonsense action to safeguard our nation’s infrastructure. For too long, America has allowed China to infiltrate our critical systems, threatening national security, and endangering the safety of all Americans. I am proud to join my Republican colleagues in pushing this ban forward,” said Rep. Sheri Biggs (SC-03).

“Investigations show that Chinese components hooked up to our electric grid threatens not only the grid’s destabilization but compromises our national security. This Trump Administration action is a good step to secure our energy infrastructure and reduce our technological dependence on Communist China,” said Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09). 

“I commend the Trump Administration for its decisive action restricting imports of new Chinese power inverters. I’ve said it from day one: the CCP should have ZERO influence on America’s power grid. Critical infrastructure must be America First and never left in the hands of our adversaries,” said Rep. Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08).

“As a member of the Select Committee on China, I'm pleased to see the Administration take strong steps to thwart foreign influence in our energy sector. The decision to ban imports of products such as solar panels, battery inverters, and humanoid robots will strengthen our national security and send a clear message that the United States will not cede any ground to the Chinese Communist Party,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04).

“The decision to ban Chinese power inverters is a major victory for America's national security and the security of our electric grid. I was proud to join my RSC colleagues in urging this action because America's critical infrastructure should never depend on technology from a foreign adversary like Communist China,” said Rep. Mary Miller (IL-15).

“The Federal Communications Commission has made the correct decision to ban imports of new power inverters from China. The Chinese Communist Party is one of the greatest adversaries of the United States and the continued import of Chinese-manufactured power inverters threatens our national security,” said Rep. Austin Scott (GA-08).

“In today's digital age, we cannot afford to let the Chinese Communist Party and other adversaries have a foothold in our electrical grid. I appreciate the Trump Administration for taking the necessary steps to strengthen America's economic and national security by securing critical infrastructure nationwide,” said Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03).

“The United States’ electric grid should never be reliant on technology from adversarial nations. I am proud to have joined my Republican Study Committee colleagues in urging the Trump administration to halt imports of Chinese-made power inverters used in grid infrastructure. This week, that warning was heeded—a major win for American manufacturing, energy independence, and national security,” said Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01).

“Increasing our reliance on Communist China for critical grid equipment is a serious threat to our national security. Last year, I joined my RSC colleagues in calling for action to restrict Chinese-made inverters and other critical grid components from entering the United States. I applaud the Trump Administration for taking decisive action to protect our electric grid from foreign adversaries. We cannot allow Communist China to jeopardize the security and reliability of America’s critical infrastructure,” said Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05).

“Energy security is national security. I applaud this decision by Chairman Carr to put America First in energy security by securing our infrastructure from the threat of Chinese components,” said Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02).

“Common sense dictates that our greatest adversary should not have a hand in the building of our country’s critical infrastructure. I applaud Chairman Carr for following the request of the RSC and blocking Chinese power inverters from being imported into our country. America is safer today because of this decision,” said Rep. Marlin Stutzman (IN-03).