July 23, 2025
Mr. Ricketts (for himself and Mr. Bennet) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
To require a report of, and a strategy to combat, arms sales of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Tracking Hostile Industry Networks and Kit while Thwarting Weapons Imports from Chinese Entities Act of 2025
or the THINK TWICE Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
The People's Republic of China is the fourth largest arms exporter behind the United States, the Russian Federation, and France.
(2)
Arms sales by entities in the People's Republic of China are an important element of the country's growing military power and geopolitical influence.
(3)
The People's Republic of China uses arms sales to promote strategic interests, including—
(A)
improving the image and reputation of the People’s Liberation Army;
(B)
acquiring performance data of Chinese-made weapons in contested environments, which can be utilized by the People's Liberation Army;
(C)
exacerbating tensions between the United States and traditional security partners;
(D)
gaining a foothold for further defense and security cooperation with certain countries;
(E)
building relationships with senior political and military leaders in other countries, further expanding the diplomatic and strategic influence of the People’s Republic of China;
(F)
protecting economic interests of the People's Republic of China by ensuring the security of foreign partner governments to safeguard Chinese investments and Chinese workers;
(G)
exerting influence over the progression of conflicts to serve the broader geostrategic aims of the People's Republic of China;
(H)
improving military operations and capabilities of partner states, thereby stabilizing regions of interest by addressing local issues, such as disturbances near the border of the People's Republic of China; and
(I)
subsidizing the research and development and production costs of weapons systems of the People's Republic of China.
Sec. 3. Report on arms sales of the People's Republic of China
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on arms sales facilitated by entities in the People’s Republic of China.
(b) Contents
The report required by subsection (a) shall include an analysis of—
(1)
the weapons systems and defense equipment originating from the People's Republic of China available for purchase;
(2)
the technical aspects and capabilities of such weapons systems and defense equipment;
(3)
how such weapons systems and defense equipment may impact the balance of power in the area of responsibility of each United States Combatant Command, when applicable;
(4)
the weapons systems and defense equipment originating from the People's Republic of China that are considered direct alternatives to weapons systems and defense equipment originating from the United States;
(5)
the weapons systems and defense equipment originating from the People’s Republic of China that present the greatest security risks regarding the potential to collect intelligence on or compromise assets, weapons, or platforms of the United States;
(6)
the countries mostly likely to procure weapons systems and defense equipment originating from the People's Republic of China, including the specific type, quantity, and estimated value in United States dollars of weapons, during the 1-year period following the date of the submission of the report;
(7)
the weapons systems and defense equipment in development as of the date of the submission of the report by entities in the People's Republic of China that could be available on the global market not later than 5 years after such date;
(8)
the factors that incentivize countries to procure such weapons systems and defense equipment, including costs, flexible payment conditions and financing, a lack of end-user agreements, and speed of sale and delivery; and
(9)
the strategy of the People's Republic of China regarding arms sales and variables that could influence such strategy.
(c) Form
(1) In general
The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but shall include a classified annex.
(2) Classified annex
The classified annex required by paragraph (1) shall contain—
(A)
an assessment by the National Intelligence Council of the contents required by subsection (b); and
(B)
an assessment by the Director of National Intelligence of the counterintelligence risks and risks of onward proliferation of technology and defense systems originating in the United States and created through the purchase, deployment, and use of weapons systems and defense equipment originating from the People’s Republic of China by United States allies and partners.
(d) Appropriate congressional committees defined
In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
(1)
the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
(2)
the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 4. Strategy to combat arms sales of the People's Republic of China
(a) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall develop a strategy to dissuade purchases of new weapons systems and defense equipment, excluding spare parts or parts for maintenance of previously procured weapons, originating from the People's Republic of China.
(b) Elements
The strategy shall include the following elements:
(1)
An information campaign targeting countries interested in procuring weapons systems and defense equipment originating from the People's Republic of China to warn such countries about—
(A)
potential risks, including the lack of a proven track record in combat, insufficient training on the operation of the weapon or weapons system, reliability issues, and the lack of maintenance and spare parts available;
(B)
the inability to integrate such weapons systems and defense equipment with weapons systems and defense equipment from the United States; and
(C)
the potential limitation of future security cooperation with the United States that could arise if such weapons are acquired.
(2)
A description of actions the United States can take, including reforms to the foreign military sales, direct commercial sales, and foreign military financing processes, to make weapons systems and defense equipment from the United States more attractive to prospective buyers of weapons systems or defense equipment originating from the People's Republic of China.
(3)
A description of actions defense firms of the United States can take to provide competitive alternatives to prospective buyers of weapons systems and defense equipment originating from the People's Republic of China.
(4)
An analysis of whether the use of sanctions, export controls, or other economic restrictions targeting buyers of new weapons systems or defense equipment originating from the People’s Republic of China could serve as an effective deterrent.
(5)
A plan to ensure sufficient representation of defense firms of the United States, or trusted allies, at defense expositions where defense firms of the People’s Republic of China are also attending.
(6)
A plan to combat Chinese disinformation campaigns targeting the performance of weapons or platforms produced by the United States or trusted allies.
(7)
A plan to ensure close coordination with Congress to prevent disjointed engagement with countries.
(c) Report and implementation plan
Not later than the date on which the strategy required by subsection (a) is completed, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report detailing the strategy and a plan for implementation.
(d) Form
The report required by subsection (c) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
(e) Appropriate congressional committees defined
In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
(1)
the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(2)
the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.