Rep. Robert Pittenger
WASHINGTON – Last week, Chinese telecom firm ZTE Corporation agreed to pay over $1 billion in fines for violating U.S. law by selling embargoed technology to an Iranian government-controlled entity which could be used to oppress human rights.
Michael Wessel, an influential Commissioner on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, credited Congressman Robert Pittenger’s (NC-09) bipartisan efforts to push Commerce Department regulators to take action.
“Thank you to Michael Wessel for your ongoing support of our joint efforts to hold China accountable for actions to undermine the U.S. economy, national security, and human rights,” said Congressman Pittenger. “ZTE broke the law by selling embargoed equipment to Iran, which could be used to violate human rights. Through our bipartisan efforts and the leadership of President Trump, ZTE agreed to pay a record-breaking fine. This is a win, but we must continue to watch ZTE and other Chinese state-owned and state-influenced firms very carefully.”
Congressman Pittenger has worked since April 2016 to urge the Commerce Department to punish ZTE, including writing a bipartisan letter to then-Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker which was co-signed by 22 additional Members of Congress.
About Author
