US California power grid [Reuters=Yonhap News File Photo]

Amid persistent concerns that critical infrastructure could be vulnerable to external attacks, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the 26th (local time) to ban the import of certain foreign-made power equipment to protect the nation's power grid.

According to foreign media outlets including Bloomberg and AFP, President Trump explained the reasoning behind the order, stating, "The rapid growth of advanced manufacturing, data centers, artificial intelligence, and defense production has increased reliance on abundant and reliable electricity," and adding that "the repercussions would be significant if an attack on the bulk power system were successful or if the power supply were disrupted."

The executive order includes provisions prohibiting the purchase, import, or installation of certain imported components used in high-voltage transmission lines, substations, and power plants.

These measures apply to countries subject to U.S. arms embargoes, those under sanctions, or nations deemed by the U.S. government to be acting against U.S. interests.

The move is widely seen as being effectively targeted at Chinese-made power equipment. The AFP reported, "Although China was not explicitly mentioned in the executive order, Chinese-made power components have been a point of concern for U.S. security officials for years."

Bloomberg also noted that there have been persistent concerns from both U.S. political parties that Chinese components used in the U.S. power system could be exploited by hostile foreign actors.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China accounts for approximately 80% of global production of batteries and solar inverters. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce stated that a significant number of large Chinese-made transformers had been imported into the United States over the past decade.

Power equipment such as solar inverters can be monitored and controlled remotely, posing a risk that they could be easily exposed to cyberattacks.

To protect its critical infrastructure, the U.S. has compiled a "Covered List"—a roster of companies that pose a threat to national security—and has been restricting the operations of several Chinese firms by including them on this list.

In 2021, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added Chinese telecommunications equipment companies such as Huawei and ZTE to this list, and starting the following year, it banned the sale of equipment from these companies within the United States.

The Chinese government immediately protested.

Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a briefing on the 27th, "China has consistently opposed the practice of overstretching the concept of national security to suppress companies from other countries," adding, "We hope that the United States will provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for the operations of companies from all countries."