Joe Biden signed an executive order on Wednesday designed to strengthen cyber security at US ports and directed billions of dollars into new infrastructure amid concerns that hackers from China could exploit the facilities and wreak havoc on supply chains.
The announcement comes just days after FBI director Christopher Wray said his bureau was “laser-focused” on preventing Chinese efforts to use malicious software to disrupt critical US infrastructure.
The White House said the moves would include investment of more than $20bn over the next five years into improving US port infrastructure, including producing more port cranes domestically. The money will come from the $1.2tn 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.