US power grid emergency targets foreign equipment

US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Wednesday over foreign-made equipment in the country's electric grid, saying rising power demand has made the system a target for hostile governments.

The executive order blocks companies from buying, importing or installing certain foreign-made parts used in the bulk-power system, the network of high-voltage lines, substations and power plants that transmits electricity across the country.

Trump said in the order that the growth of AI data centers and other advanced technology projects has made the United States more dependent on stable electricity. He argued that a grid failure would cause more damage than in the past.

The order also warns that foreign-built equipment could contain hidden software “backdoors,” or secret access points that could allow another country to control or shut off equipment.

The restrictions apply to countries under US arms embargoes or sanctions, or to governments the administration decides are working against American interests. China is not named in the order.

Washington has previously pressed allies to keep Huawei and ZTE out of new mobile phone networks, arguing that Beijing could force the Chinese telecom suppliers to spy or sabotage. Both companies were later blacklisted by US regulators.