Sec. 164. Strategic Ports Initiative

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The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, the Chief Executive Officer of United States International Development Finance Corporation, the Trade and Development Agency, and other relevant Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall carry out a program entitled the Strategic Ports Initiative for the following purposes: To provide training and technical assistance to partner country officials and institutions, and others, as appropriate, responsible for building, managing, and securing seaports, airports, and related infrastructure abroad.

To identify ports and airports vulnerable to ownership or other forms of control by strategic competitors, including the PRC, and make recommendations for United States Government action. To contribute to United States Government diplomatic engagements and other efforts with partner countries and economies, and relevant and trusted private sector entities with respect to ownership or control of seaports and airports by strategic competitors, including the PRC. To generate priority countries and projects for United States assistance and investment, including through coordination with the Infrastructure Coordination Task Force established pursuant to section 161.

To ensure that all Department of State initiatives, activities, and funding related to seaports and airports align with the national security interests of the United States and account for the vulnerabilities, technical constraints, and other national security implications of seaport and airport infrastructure to construction, ownership, operation, or other forms of direct and indirect control by strategic competitors, including the PRC. To ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that projects supported by the United States use local labor and professional capacities, in contrast to infrastructure projects carried out by the PRC.

To assist in identifying and promoting alternatives for port logistics data management systems currently offered by strategic competitors, including the PRC. There is authorized to be appropriated, for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029, $6,000,000 to carry out the purposes of the Strategic Ports Initiative.