Three US senators propose a bill to ban China-backed company GNC from entering military bases.
According to the New York Post on November 11, three Republican senators jointly proposed a new bill aimed at prohibiting the US Department of Defense from signing long-term retail contracts with companies controlled or owned by adversarial countries within military bases, and also preventing the extension or renewal of existing contracts.
The report pointed out that this week, with North Carolina Republican Senator Ted Budd proposing companion legislation for the House bill targeting the GNC health food brand, which was acquired by Chinese capital, in order to work towards removing this chain store from US military bases.
Currently, there are about 85 GNC stores within US military bases.
Republican Representative Pat Fallon first proposed a bill to ban the company from doing business at US military bases, citing concerns over national security and espionage activities.
The report further noted that Budd, along with Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton and Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott, jointly proposed the "Military Installation Retail Security Act." This bill will prohibit the Department of Defense from allowing enterprises from certain countries (including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea) to operate within US military bases.
In Fort Bragg, North Carolina, four GNC stores serve approximately 53,700 soldiers, accounting for nearly 10% of the total number of US Army soldiers.
It was reported that in June 2020, vitamin retailer GNC filed for bankruptcy and was fully acquired by Harbin Pharmaceutical Group.
In 2019, GNC agreed to integrate its manufacturing operations with International Vitamin Company (IVC), which has a consortium of Chinese investors.
The company, founded in Pittsburgh, had been operating within US military bases for many years before being sold, thus its potential to help China monitor military bases was overlooked. Currently, about 85 GNC stores operate under "long-term franchises," meaning they are directly operated, staffed, and supplied by GNC.
On the other hand, a GNC spokesperson rebutted in a statement to Fox News: "Our systems are independently monitored and meet strict federal standards, subject to multiple audits throughout the year."
GNC also stated: "We love our military customers. Their well-being, whether personal health or information security, is always our top priority. We are honored to be part of their community and will continue to protect their information security just as we do for all customers."
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829190743560457/
Disclaimer: The article only represents the views of the author.