HB7635, the CHARGE Act, would prohibit the importation into the United States of certain energy storage systems that contain remote monitoring capabilities if they are manufactured with technology licensed or owned by entities organized under the laws of the People’s Republic of China or entities under the jurisdiction, control, authority, or oversight of the Chinese Communist Party. The bill frames these products as a national security risk because of the possibility that remote monitoring features could provide access to, or interference with, the U.S. electric grid and other critical infrastructure.
The bill directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to issue implementing regulations within 60 days and to conduct periodic reviews to determine whether additional restrictions are needed. It also requires the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and Homeland Security, to submit a report to Congress on PRC-developed energy storage systems with remote monitoring capabilities in the United States, with the reporting requirement ending six years after enactment. The bill defines both “energy storage system” and “remote monitoring capability” broadly, and it establishes criminal penalties for knowing violations, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines up to $250,000 per shipment.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add a new federal import restriction targeting a class of battery and energy storage products tied to China and the Chinese Communist Party, expanding customs enforcement and trade controls in the name of protecting critical infrastructure and grid security. It would affect importers, manufacturers, distributors, and potentially downstream users of energy storage systems, while also requiring coordination among Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Homeland Security. The measure would likely influence supply chains for batteries, grid storage, and related energy technologies, and could prompt additional screening or compliance obligations for products with remote connectivity features.
Sentiment
The bill’s stated purpose and findings indicate strong support for a national security-focused approach to Chinese-linked energy storage systems, with the text emphasizing risks to the electric grid and critical infrastructure. Because there are no recorded votes or committee transcripts provided, there is no direct evidence of floor or committee debate, but the bill’s framing suggests a generally hawkish sentiment toward PRC-linked technology imports. The absence of recorded opposition in the provided materials means the level of bipartisan support or resistance cannot be determined from the available context.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be whether the bill is a necessary cybersecurity and national security safeguard or an overly broad trade restriction that could disrupt energy markets and supply chains. Supporters would likely focus on the risk of remote monitoring access to critical infrastructure and the need for stronger import controls, while critics may argue that the definitions are broad, the prohibition could sweep in legitimate products, and the measure could raise costs or limit availability of energy storage technology. Another likely issue is enforcement, since the bill relies on Customs and Border Protection to identify covered products and contemplates additional restrictions after periodic review, which may be difficult to implement consistently.
Condemning the coercive actions of the People's Republic of China against Japan in response to statements regarding Taiwan and reaffirming the United States commitment to its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
Restoring Trade Fairness ActThis bill establishes various trade measures related to China, including by revoking China's permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status and increasing the rates of duty (i.e., tariffs) on Chinese imported goods. The bill prohibits imported goods originating from North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran from receiving de minimis treatment. (Current law allows for U.S. imports under a de minimis threshold of $800 per shipment to enter free of tariffs, fees, and taxes.)Specifically, the bill revokes China's PNTR status. Currently, China's PNTR status allows for Chinese goods to have duty rates set forth in column 1 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS). With the removal of China's PNTR status, the bill generally sets the applicable duty rates on imported Chinese goods at the higher rates listed in column 2 of the HTS, with exceptions.The bill establishes a minimum duty rate of 35% for all Chinese goods, which requires column 2 rates to be at least 35%. However, the bill establishes a minimum duty rate of 100% for a list of specified goods (e.g., various minerals, certain vaccines and drugs, and certain defense-related articles). Duty rates are phased in over five years and adjusted annually for inflation.The bill alsoauthorizes the President to take additional actions related to trade with China, requires merchandise imported from China to be appraised based on U.S. value, and establishes a trust fund to compensate U.S. producers for lost revenue resulting from retaliatory actions by China.