FCC chair Brendan Carr has spearheaded measures against Chinese tech security risks, including blocking drones and routers, while the broader Trump administration has eased trade tensions ahead of this week's Beijing summit. The agency voted to ban Chinese labs from testing consumer electronics, addressing vulnerabilities where 75% of FCC device testing currently occurs in China.

The administration debates banning Chinese cellular modules, which would have a more dramatic impact than previous restrictions. Chinese firms including Quectel, Fibocom, China Mobile, Sunsea and MeiG control over 70% of the global market for these components essential to connecting smart devices. The periodic software updates create potential espionage risks.

Carr has leveraged the FCC's authority to regulate consumer devices emitting radio frequencies, creating a national security council targeting foreign adversaries. The agency's "covered list" of security threats could include cellular modules, though decisions require coordination across government agencies. China's embassy has stated firm opposition to these restrictions.