Cornhusker State News

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) has introduced new legislation, the Tracking Hostile Industry Networks and Kit while Thwarting Weapons Imports from Chinese Entities (THINK TWICE) Act of 2025. The bill aims to address the growing influence of Chinese arms sales worldwide by requiring an assessment of these transactions and developing a strategy to discourage countries from purchasing Chinese weapons systems and defense equipment. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) is also sponsoring the legislation.

“Communist China has emerged as a major weapons supplier. This is particularly true in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia,” said Ricketts. “This development has major implications for American defense companies, our military operations, and our global security partnerships.  The recent Pakistan-India clash saw significant use of Chinese-made weapons. This should be a major wake-up call that we must do more to combat these arms sales.  That’s why I’ve introduced the THINK TWICE Act. This act requires a coordinated strategy to dissuade new purchases of Chinese-made weapons. It will also ensure our defense industrial base is better equipped to provide alternatives to prospective buyers.”

“As China wields arms sales to reshape the international system in Beijing’s image, the United States must reassert its role as a security partner of choice,” said Bennet. “This legislation is an essential step toward countering China’s expanding military footprint and geopolitical influence.”

China currently ranks as the fourth largest arms exporter after the U.S., Russia, and France. In recent years, it has exported drones, missiles, and fighter jets to 44 countries across multiple regions including Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The expansion of Chinese arms exports is seen as a way for China to advance its strategic interests globally, improve its military reputation, test its equipment in contested environments, increase tensions between the U.S. and its traditional partners, and establish broader security ties.

With Russia’s involvement in Ukraine limiting its ability to export arms, China has increased its efforts to fill this gap in global arms markets.

Further details about the bill can be found at the provided link.