Select Committee Presses Department of Defense to Counter Beijing’s Economic Coercion Through Increasing Purchases of Targeted Goods

WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Congresswoman Jill Tokuda (D-HI) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urging the Department of Defense (DOD) to leverage the purchasing power of its commissaries, base cafeterias, and logistics services to support U.S. allies and partners targeted by Beijing’s economic coercion. They also call for DOD to consider placing reciprocal restrictions on PRC products in the event of economic coercion from Beijing targeting similar products from U.S. allied and partner countries. 

The Committee emphasized that while DOD procurement must prioritize American farmers and producers, expanding purchases of goods from allied and partner countries facing Chinese trade restrictions is a powerful tool that can provide economic relief, demonstrate diplomatic solidarity, and push back against Beijing’s pressure campaigns.

The letter highlighted recent cases of the Chinese government using trade bans to punish U.S. allies and partners, including:

• Australia (2020-2024): Beijing restricted imports of barley, beef, lobster, and wine after Canberra called for an independent investigation into COVID-19’s origins.
• Taiwan (2021-Present): China banned imports of pineapples, apples, and grouper.
• Japan (2023-Present): Beijing banned all Japanese seafood imports following the Camp David Summit with the U.S. and South Korea.
• Philippines and Vietnam: Imports of bananas and lychees were targeted during maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

“We believe that significantly expanding the scope and scale of these kinds of purchases will add a powerful new tool to the U.S. toolkit for countering PRC economic coercion. In addition to increasing purchases from allied and partner countries subjected to PRC coercion, DOD should also consider placing reciprocal restrictions on products from the PRC until Beijing ceases its coercive efforts,” the Members write.

The Committee is requesting DOD provide detailed answers by October 10, 2025, including:

• What steps are DOD agencies including DeCA, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Defense Health Agency taking to increase purchases of Japanese seafood, including products still banned by the PRC after it partially lifted restrictions on Japanese seafood imports in June 2025?
• What steps are these agencies taking to increase their purchases of Taiwan’s pineapple, wax apple, grouper, and other items currently banned by Beijing?
• What steps are these agencies taking to plan with Australia for increasing purchases of Australian wine, beef, lobster, and other at-risk items in the event the PRC reimposes import restrictions on these products?
• What lessons have these agencies learned from their local purchase contracting experience in the Indo-Pacific, including the need for new or expanded authorities, that would allow them to more effectively use their purchasing power to counter the PRC’s economic coercion?
• What, if any, support do these agencies need from Congress to facilitate appropriate purchases of products from allied and partner countries to counter the PRC’s economic coercion?
• What, if any, additional authorities would these agencies need from Congress to impose reciprocal restrictions on products from the PRC in the event Beijing bans the importation of specific products from U.S. allied and partner countries? 

Read the full letter HERE.  

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