**Republican Lawmakers Call for Ban on TP-Link Sales Over Security Concerns**
Seventeen Republican lawmakers have urged the U.S. Commerce Department to halt further sales of equipment from TP-Link Systems Inc., a Wi-Fi router manufacturer facing scrutiny due to its connections to China. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, known for his hardline stance on China, along with 16 other senators and representatives, sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Wednesday. They accused TP-Link of having significant ties to the Chinese Communist Party, labeling the company a “clear and present danger” to national security.
In response to these allegations, TP-Link has firmly denied any wrongdoing. The company stated, “As a U.S. company, no foreign country or government – including China – has access to or control over the design and production of our products. TP-Link is not a state-sponsored company, has no ‘deep ties’ to, and is completely independent from, the Chinese Communist Party.”
The lawmakers’ letter references reports indicating that Chinese state operatives have utilized TP-Link’s networking devices, including Wi-Fi routers, to conduct cyberattacks. It also mentions an ongoing investigation by the Justice Department into the company’s pricing strategies. The lawmakers expressed concern that China could exploit vulnerabilities in U.S. systems through TP-Link devices “before American authorities know a vulnerability exists.”
They emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Each day we fail to act, the CCP wins while American competitors suffer, and American security remains at risk.” According to Bloomberg, the Commerce Department has initiated an investigation to determine whether TP-Link’s connections to China pose unacceptable national security risks. Investigators are reviewing data that suggests TP-Link holds approximately 60% of the U.S. retail market for Wi-Fi systems and small office routers, a significant increase from about 10% in early 2019. TP-Link has contested this data, claiming it exaggerates their market share.
Originally founded in China, TP-Link separated into two distinct entities last year, establishing an American unit in Irvine, California, while its Chinese operations remain based in Shenzhen. However, a Bloomberg investigation revealed that the U.S. branch still maintains substantial operations in mainland China. In a recent interview, Jeffrey Chao, owner of TP-Link’s U.S. business, denied any connections to China’s military or intelligence sectors, asserting that all sensitive roles have been relocated to the United States.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications for TP-Link and its market presence in the U.S. remain to be seen.
**FAQ**
**What are the concerns regarding TP-Link’s ties to China?**
Lawmakers are worried that TP-Link’s connections to the Chinese Communist Party could pose national security risks, particularly regarding cyberattacks and unauthorized access to U.S. systems.