US commerce secretary to vet imports of sensitive technology

The US commerce secretary would be able to block imports of any technology deemed to pose a potential national security threat under sweeping new plans proposed by the Trump administration.

In an attempt to combat the perceived threat of Chinese equipment being used for spying, the US commerce department on Tuesday put forward rules requiring the personal approval of commerce secretary Wilbur Ross for sensitive transactions.

Lawyers said the move could result in the creation of a significant new bureaucracy, with one likening it to the creation of the powerful...