According to reports, Amazon is deploying lobbyists to U.S. statehouses to thwart legislative efforts to disconnect from China. A state lawmaker and many lobbyists with knowledge of the situation said that the corporation tries to stall the process with legislative changes and makes forceful but evasive opposition to legislation that targets China.
How did lawmakers respond to Amazon’s vague objections?
One politician remembered speaking with Amazon‘s representatives. “Look, you’re going to have to bring me something, you’re going to have to tell me, you know, why you’re uncomfortable,” Republican Representative Mark Cochran of Tennessee told the source after meeting with Amazon and its lobbyists. “Because simply stating that “we don’t like it” is insufficient.”
According to a legislative summary, Cochran is a co-sponsor of legislation that would effectively prohibit state and local government agencies from purchasing items manufactured in China, citing national security concerns as justification.
Additionally, the law would typically forbid buying from Russia, North Korea, Cuba, and Iran. Amazon “approached a number of lawmakers and just basically blanket said they had a problem with the bill,” according to one lobbyist with knowledge of the situation, but failed to offer “any specifics or any fixes for the bill.” Additionally, Cochran asserted that the business launched an anti-law campaign without providing an explanation.
What does the Tennessee bill aim to prohibit?
According to the lawmaker, Amazon first attempted to persuade the Tennessee Organization of Commerce to reject the bill, but the organisation decided to maintain its neutrality. He declared, “In the end, we will advance this next year.” “Amazon has until then to respond; if not, the committee will hold a public discussion on the matter. Tennessee residents oppose the presence of Chinese-made electronics in their state offices. Therefore, if Amazon is eventually against it, they will need to explain their position to the people of Tennessee.
How has Amazon influenced commerce groups and lawmakers?
According to lobbyists familiar with the situation, Amazon also made an effort to engage lawmakers in negotiations to block similar legislation in Texas. According to the Texas Policy Institute, the bill would forbid Texas government agencies from signing agreements with businesses classified as “foreign adversary companies” or “federally banned companies,” with Chinese businesses among those included.
According to a lobbyist,
“They sent an amendment that simply stated that American publicly traded corporations are exempt from all of this legislation.” “Why will we prohibit the sale of Chinese goods to the state of Texas while stating that “any publicly listed American company may sell Chinese goods?”
I mean, what’s the point?
According to the lobbyist, Amazon continues to advocate for that modification. An April Washington Examiner investigation found that Amazon offers Chinese military-related products and has commercial links to Chinese government-affiliated organizations. According to reports, the publication reviewed the Amazon Marketplace and found that at least 12 organisations that the US Department of Defense has designated as “Chinese military companies” had merchandise for sale.
