S.Amdt. 3709

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Ricketts and Mr. Bennet, aims to add a new section to bill S. 2296 focused on the assessment of and strategy to combat arms sales from the People's Republic of China.

The amendment seeks to add two main requirements to the bill:

• Reporting and Assessment: It requires the Director of National Intelligence, working with the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State, to provide a report to specific congressional committees every year for 3 years. This report must analyze Chinese weapons available for purchase, their capabilities, how they affect the balance of power, and the risks they pose to U.S. intelligence and assets. It also looks at which countries are likely to buy these weapons and what makes Chinese sales attractive, such as cost and financing.

• Development of a Strategy: It requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to create a strategy to stop countries from buying new Chinese weapons systems. This strategy must include:

  • An information campaign to warn buyers about risks like reliability issues and lack of combat records.
  • Ways the U.S. can make its own weapons more attractive through subsidized pricing or creative financing.
  • An analysis of using sanctions or economic restrictions against buyers.
  • Actions for U.S. defense firms to provide alternatives.
  • A plan to fight Chinese disinformation about U.S. and ally weapon performance.
  • A plan for coordination with Congress.