the new york times reporting the president could limit chinese video surveillance firm hick vision from buying american technology. essentially black listing the company. the reason? hikvision is expected of playing a role of the mass detention of a minority in the region. this comes after the president black listed another major chinese firm, telecom giant huawei with a 1-2 punch. one that has gotten bipartisan support. first limiting u.s. companies from selling parts to huawei. secondly, signing an executive order that blocks u.s. firms from buying foreign-made equipment if it is deemed a national security threat. what s the reason for targeting huawei? you don t know this company? i will tell you. the u.s. allegations this company that makes phones and other tech equipment you may have in your purse right now can give the chinese government access to sensitive data from u.s. citizens and company. that is scary.
zte. why is it this matter? zte had been banned from buying american technology after it violated u.s. sanctions by doing business with north korea and iran. then a 2012 congressional report found zte was a security threat because of its efforts to extract sensitive information from american companies. this is serious stuff. joining me now is democratic senator chris van hollen of maryland. nice to have you, senator. great to be with you. you ve been very outspoken about your opposition to the deal that the commerce department struck. it finds zte a billion dollars. it makes them put $400 million in escrow, should they violate sanctions again. your republican counterpart senator tom cotton of arkansas said, quote, the only fitting punishment would be to put zte out of business in the united states. is he right? he is right and that s why i teamed up with him to offer the amendment which is now included in what we call the manager s package and i m confident that that s going to p