U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley addressed the committee on Apr. 22, raising concerns about what he described as the ongoing and serious threat posed by China to American intellectual property during a hearing titled “Stealth Stealing: China’s Ongoing Theft of U.S. Innovation.”
Grassley said that protecting patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets is essential for the country’s economic and military strength. He pointed out that the challenge of safeguarding intellectual property has become more complex over time.
“Our intellectual property is vital to our continued economic and military success,” Grassley said in his statement for the record. He added that hostile countries, particularly China, have succeeded in copying and stealing U.S. patents and trade secrets, pirating entertainment content, and sending dangerous counterfeits into the country.
Grassley cited examples including a $50 million fine against a Chinese telecommunications company for conspiring to steal technology from Motorola Solutions Inc., as well as incidents involving stolen trade secrets from Google and cases involving agricultural innovations in Iowa. He said these actions benefit the Chinese Communist Party at America’s expense.
The senator also discussed how China uses legal requirements like its Intelligence Law to compel citizens worldwide to assist with state intelligence work if asked—a practice he warned could lead to espionage within the United States. Grassley outlined steps such as better vetting of grant recipients at universities and government agencies, caution around using certain hardware or software products from Chinese companies, and legislative efforts aimed at stopping abuse of U.S. courts by foreign actors seeking access to proprietary information.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays an important role in shaping constitutional protections and public safety through its legislative duties according to its official website. The committee also upholds constitutional standards by reviewing legislation, overseeing federal law enforcement activities, evaluating judicial nominations according to its official website, and includes senators from both major parties under leadership of a chairperson according to its official website.
Based in Washington D.C., the committee influences federal law across the nation according to its official website, impacting civil rights through oversight responsibilities according to its official website. It serves as a standing committee with authority over judicial matters nationwide according to its official website.
Concluding his remarks on efforts against Chinese theft of American innovation, Grassley said: “The truth is that they use any means they can think of, and don’t let international treaties [World Trade Organization] rules or U.S. laws deter them.”
