WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced the Prioritizing Digital Infrastructure Financing Act, legislation to enhance U.S. leadership in global digital infrastructure financing to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative and enhance data security around the world.

“A major element of China’s Belt and Road Initiative is foreign investment in digital infrastructure projects,” said Larsen, a co-chair of the bipartisan U.S.-China Working Group and author of an China White Paper published in December 2021. “The United States must prioritize investing in digital infrastructure to boost U.S. competitiveness, address developing countries’ infrastructure needs and promote high standard telecommunications.”

“Developing countries are yearning for digital infrastructure projects like broadband connectivity, telecommunications, and data centers that can take advantage of the increasingly digitalized global economy. In the absence of American investments, other countries are coming in to undermine our competitiveness, diplomatic relationships, and democratic values around the world. It is in our national interest to meet these global needs,” said DelBene. “This legislation will leverage existing federal programs to put the United States back on the right track as a global leader, build stronger relations with like-minded countries, and increase prosperity around the world.”

“This legislation is critical to support America’s global leadership,” said American Leadership Initiative CEO Orit Frenkel. “When China sells its digital infrastructure, it brings with it authoritarian digital standards of surveillance and censorship. It is important that the United States can compete and give countries digital standards of transparency and democracy.”

The Prioritizing Digital Infrastructure Financing Act directs the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to prioritize investment in projects that increase digital infrastructure and connectivity and where a competing proposal lacks high standards for data security. The DFC plays an important role in financing commercially viable digital infrastructure projects overseas, including data centers in South Africa and expansion of wireless networks in The Gambia. However, less than 10 percent of DFC financing went to technology and infrastructure projects in 2020.

Larsen has been a leading voice for economic and strategic engagement in the Asia-Pacific region and a proponent of advancing U.S. democratic values worldwide. Last year, Larsen outlined a comprehensive strategy to boost U.S. competitiveness and enhance American global leadership, including expanding the playbook to include both offensive and defensive measures to compete with China. To read Larsen’s White Paper, click here.

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