Publications: Eli Clemens

Counterfeit drugs are flooding U.S. supply chains—fueled by third-party sellers, drop-shipping, and weak online pharmacy oversight. The fentanyl crisis highlights the danger, but the issue runs deeper. Enforcement alone isn't enough. Congress and regulators must embrace digital solutions like blockchain, RFID tagging, and tamper-proof packaging to secure drug traceability and protect public health.

The increasing presence of Chinese payment platforms in the U.S. market raises significant concerns around three risks: economic competition, censorship, and national security.

President Trump’s proposal to move USPS under the Department of Commerce would politicize an independent institution, risking service disruptions and unfair pricing. Instead, USPS needs innovation-focused reforms that boost efficiency, strengthen public-private collaboration, and maintain its universal service mission without political interference.

Chinese platforms like Temu, SHEIN, and AliExpress continue to list unsafe products even after U.S. safety warnings, revealing serious gaps in enforcement. The Consumer Product Safety Commission needs stronger authority, better platform cooperation, and AI-driven tools to protect consumers.

State lawmakers are moving to restrict contracts with foreign adversaries, but many bills miss the mark—failing to reduce actual security risks while driving up costs and limiting access to key technologies. A smarter path forward would prioritize transparency, collaboration with federal agencies, and a focused strategy targeting high-risk components.

To modernize enforcement, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) should use AI to analyze real-time and historical data, allowing it to predict and address risks in e-commerce supply chains before harm occurs.

China’s industrial strategy calls for gaining market share in e-commerce to expand its global influence, financial footprint, and ability to compete in AI. Policymakers should act now to avoid leaving U.S. platforms at a structural disadvantage and exposing U.S. consumers to harm.

A well-calibrated approach that prevents Chinese companies like Shein and Temu from exploiting loopholes while incentivizing compliance and supporting vetted sellers on U.S. platforms would best serve U.S. economic and strategic interests.

The Trump administration has two choices after ending de minimis treatment for imports from China: Either turn Customs and Border Patrol into the largest federal agency, or make it a leader in government technology. In the age of AI, the right path is obvious.

By streamlining compliance costs, clarifying definitions, and easing the extraterritorial scope of the legislation, the Cyberspace Administration of China can foster a more business-friendly environment while still ensuring data security for personal information.