China vows countermeasures over FCC ban on its test labs

China's commerce ministry said on Friday that Beijing "firmly opposes" a US Federal Communications Commission vote barring all Chinese labs from testing electronic devices for the American market. The ministry said China would take necessary countermeasures "if the US side persists in acting unilaterally," and it urged Washington to "immediately revoke the relevant measures," Reuters reported. The rule takes effect December 1, 2028. It targets a sector China dominates: Chinese labs tested more than 82% of new devices approved for US sale in 2025, according to FCC data.broadbandbreakfast.com+1

What the FCC adopted

The commission voted unanimously on Thursday, Oct. 29. The rule bars test labs and certification bodies in countries that deny reciprocal treatment to US-based labs. China has no such agreement with Washington, The Straits Times reported. Under the new rules, radio-frequency devices such as smartphones, computers and networking gear will need testing by accredited labs in the US or in one of the more than 60 countries and regions with mutual recognition agreements. Mainland China and India are not on that list, Caixin reported.caixinglobal.com+2

FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the labs are "a critical gateway into American communications infrastructure." He warned that they could "allow insecure gear into the US market, disrupt communications networks, or even steal intellectual property". Only about 4% of devices are tested inside the US, Carr said. The agency estimates relocation costs at $79.3 million a year, Caixin reported. Six major trade groups had argued for targeting ownership rather than location, Tech Times reported.straitstimes.com+2

Beijing's response

In its statement, the commerce ministry said China had proposed negotiating a bilateral mutual-recognition agreement, but "the US side's attitude has been extremely passive and negative". Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the US is "overstretching the concept of national security and abusing state power to go after Chinese businesses." He added that China "will do what is necessary to firmly defend its legitimate and lawful rights and interests," according to the ministry's briefing transcript.reuters.com+1

Beijing has already hit back over earlier FCC actions. In August it tightened reviews of drone exports to the US and suspended US certification bodies' factory inspections under China's compulsory certification system, Asia Times reported.asiatimes.com

Phone numbers next

The FCC said it will vote on November 19 on a proposal to bar China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom and other IP-enabled providers from direct access to US phone numbers, Reuters reported. The agency also plans to bar providers that use equipment from companies on its national security list, including Huawei and ZTE. "With this decision, the FCC will be strengthening our first line of defense against bad actors and illegal robocallers," Carr said.aol.com