WASHINGTON, Monday, May 20, 2024 — The Biden administration on Monday ordered a Chinese-backed cryptocurrency mining company to sell land it acquired near a sensitive U.S. nuclear missile base in Wyoming.
The US government’s Order can be viewed here.
The move, citing national security concerns, comes after an investigation by a government agency.
The May 14 order compels MineOne Partners Ltd., a firm partly owned by Chinese nationals, to divest ownership of property located close to Francis E. Warren Air Force Base. The base is a strategic element of the U.S. nuclear triad.
The order also mandates the removal of specific equipment on the site that could potentially be used for surveillance activities.
This action reflects broader U.S. anxieties about Chinese involvement near critical infrastructure. The decision comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries on various fronts, including technology and national security.
“Today’s divestment order underscores President Biden’s steadfast commitment to protecting the United States’ national security. It also highlights the critical gatekeeper role that CFIUS serves to ensure that foreign investment does not undermine our national security, particularly as it relates to transactions that present risk to sensitive U.S. military installations as well as those involving specialized equipment and technologies,” said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. 1
- home.treasury.gov: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2335[↩]
