President Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday declaring a national emergency to address threats posed by foreign adversaries to the country’s information and communications technology and services. The EO prohibits transactions involving ICT and related services that pose national security risks and threats to the security and resiliency of the U.S. critical infrastructure and digital economy, the White House said Wednesday.Â
The new policy authorizes the secretary of the Department of Commerce to terminate prohibited transactions and employ all other authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The secretary should also collaborate with the secretary of the State Department to submit reports to Congress. The Director of National Intelligence should also create an initial assessment of threats to the U.S. ICT supply chain within 40 days.
“The Secretary of Homeland Security shall continue to assess and identify entities, hardware, software, and services that present vulnerabilities in the United States and that pose the greatest potential consequences to the national security of the United States,†according to the EO.
