What is up with the federal government trying to ban everything in the name of national security, and telling us to trust them rather than showing us proof to back it up?
National security is always of utmost concern for our country, but the United States cannot just ban products because they are manufactured in China. Taking such sweeping actions without backing them up with evidence is not the correct approach and is a dangerous path for us to go down.
The latest example of this is happening again right now. Some in Congress are trying to pass an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would ban commercial drones, loved by first responders, businesses, and everyday Americans. They are once again using the pre-text of national security to ban companies and implement industrial policy subverting the free market and opening the door to protectionism. These drones pose no national security threat and are being targeted because they are the superior product in the commercial drone space. Prohibiting these drones is a misguided approach that may have negative consequences for consumers and the free market.
And this is not just an idle threat. H.R. 2864 by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-New York), the Countering CCP Drones Act, seeks to add consumer and commercial products manufactured by DJI to a list of companies that “are deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States.” DJI makes up a majority of the United States’ drone market, and if the government intervenes, it could potentially clip the wings of competition and innovation. This may potentially result in increased drone prices and a reduction in consumer options – significant consequences to impose without showing us the proof to justify these actions.
DJI drones are known to be user-friendly, so they are perfect for beginners. When I worked at a camp almost eight years ago, I loved using a drone to help capture footage for church youth groups, which has led to lasting memories for them. Many other people and businesses have even started using drones to increase efficiency in their work. Some people and businesses are using drones to capture video footage and photos, delivering items, mapping out terrain and landscapes, and farming their crops. Scientists are using them to study the environment, and they are also being used to inspect bridges, pipelines, and other infrastructure. Drones are also being used to rescue people from disasters.
Congress has been using scare tactics to try to ram the bill through by arguing that these drones can send information to the Chinese government. But just because something is made in China, does not necessarily mean it is owned by the CCP. DJI’s ownership and governance are public knowledge, and the Chinese government has no involvement, control, or influence over the company in any manner whatsoever. Also, aren’t a lot of our products from China, such as many of our clothes, toys, shoes, and other products? Why is Congress not trying to ban those? That may seem absurd, but there is just as much justification to do that as there is to ban DJI drones.
Finally, why is the bill focused more on the drone itself rather than on what it is used for? We have heard the argument for banning something again and again, whether it is for guns, for drones, or for TikTok. People will still find a way to get a hold of these products. Instead of continuing misguided policies that will ban the largest drone maker from the United States, with detrimental consequences for American consumers, Congress should actually look into finding the root causes of national security concerns related to the CCP. Addressing those will be a better way to make sure that we mitigate any risks without hurting people who don’t deserve to be swept up in this.
Frances Floresca is a policy analyst and writer who has worked in Washington, D.C., Utah, Nevada, and Georgia.
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