Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Jim Banks (R-IN) are calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate foreign entities with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that advertise on U.S. airwaves, citing concerns over national security risks and the exploitation of American consumers.
In a letter addressed to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, the senators demanded an inquiry into foreign entities of concern (FEOCs) that broadcast in the U.S., with particular attention to Chinese e-commerce giant Temu, which aired three Super Bowl advertisements last year. The lawmakers also urged the FCC to use its authority to deter future partnerships between U.S. television networks and foreign companies linked to adversarial governments.
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Senators Scott and Banks argue that Temu and its China-based parent company, Pinduoduo (PDD), have troubling ties to the CCP and engage in unethical business practices, including forced labor, intellectual property theft, and counterfeit product sales.
“American broadcasting companies should not platform CCP-linked companies that actively violate U.S. laws and do not comply with the same standards as U.S. manufacturers,” the senators wrote.
“Temu is known to flood the United States with cheap goods produced by forced labor while exploiting loopholes to evade U.S. trade enforcement.”
The letter highlights how Temu spent approximately $21 million on Super Bowl 2024 advertisements while offering $15 million in giveaways on its products—moves the senators claim were meant to lure American consumers into buying low-quality, potentially illicit goods.
The lawmakers also pointed out that Pinduoduo, Temu’s parent company, was recently added to the U.S. Trade Representative’s Notorious Markets List for the seventh consecutive year due to its persistent issues with intellectual property theft and counterfeit sales.
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Pinduoduo’s longstanding track record of copyright piracy and violation of U.S. trade laws has made it a target for trade enforcement agencies and lawmakers alike.
Scott and Banks believe that allowing companies like Temu to advertise freely on U.S. television networks poses a threat to American consumers and businesses.
“We believe that U.S. airwaves are a national security asset, and continuing to allow FEOCs to operate on U.S. television channels is extremely alarming,” they stated.
The senators are urging the FCC to take immediate action by:
- Investigating FEOCs that advertise or broadcast on U.S. airwaves.
- Determining whether these entities pose a national security risk.
- Using existing FCC authorities to prevent future partnerships between U.S. television networks and foreign adversarial companies.
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The letter is the latest effort by lawmakers to crack down on CCP-linked entities infiltrating American markets. The concerns raised by Scott and Banks align with broader bipartisan efforts to curb Chinese economic influence, particularly regarding companies that exploit forced labor, data security vulnerabilities, and trade loopholes.
With Super Bowl 2025 approaching, lawmakers are hoping the FCC will act swiftly to ensure that CCP-linked companies are not given access to America’s biggest advertising stage.
The FCC has yet to formally respond to the senators’ request, but the issue is expected to gain traction as lawmakers continue raising concerns over foreign economic threats.
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