DeLauro Statement on Trump Administration's ZTE Deal

Press Release

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the Trump administration's deal with Chinese cellular company ZTE.

"Today's deal between the Trump administration and ZTE is another blow to our national security and economic interests. ZTE violated sanctions by selling sensitive technology to Iran and North Korea, then lied to United States officials about their egregious behavior. It has proven itself untrustworthy again and again, yet the Trump administration is moving forward with another slap on the wrist in the grand scheme of things. That is unacceptable."

"The biggest economic challenge of our time is that people in America are working in jobs that do not pay them enough to live on, let alone keep up with the rising costs of healthcare, childcare, and affordable housing. People are struggling to make ends meet, yet the President and his Administration are preoccupied with saving Chinese jobs and Making China Great Again. It is disgraceful. Congress must defend the United States from this bad deal, as it has been working to do in the absence of leadership from the White House."

Two weeks ago, the House Appropriations Committee unanimously passed the Ruppersberger-DeLauro Amendment to keep sanctions on ZTE in place, and the full House overwhelmingly passed a defense policy bill that includes a ban on government agencies from doing business with ZTE.

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