Mike Rogers forms group to fight China over 5G

Former Rep. Mike Rogers is fighting China’s race for global control of the fifth generation of wireless technology via a new advocacy group, 5G Action Now.

The Michigan Republican, who previously served as House Intelligence Committee chairman, formed the advocacy group this year to sound the alarm about the importance of defeating China in the 5G race and to push for the rapid deployment of 5G technology inside the U.S. 5G Action Now spokesman Ian Prior said the group intends to help establish the U.S. as the world leader in 5G.

“Our goal is to elevate the conversation regarding American national security and the economic benefits of winning the 5G innovation and deployment battle against China,” Mr. Prior said. “5G will spur economic growth in rural America, create an environment for technological expansion, and put the U.S. on strong national security footing for generations to come.”

The group is organized as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, meaning it does not disclose its donors. As a social welfare organization, the group aims to educate Congress and the American people about the 5G race.

“Leadership of 5G and its rollout is not a Republican or a Democratic issue, it’s an American issue,” Mr. Rogers said when he started the organization. “If we cede victory in this race to Beijing, no one wins.”

Both the private sector and federal lawmakers have begun labeling the United States’ ongoing feud with China over 5G a new “Cold War.” Microsoft President Brad Smith questioned this year whether the U.S. was on the brink of a “tech cold war” with China,” and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida told the Hudson Institute this week that the U.S. is already fighting a “new Cold War” against China, whether anyone wants to admit it or not.

As American companies and officials look to form new alliances and cooperative agreements, Mr. Rogers’ group is not sitting back. It supports Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to invigorate the build-out of 5G infrastructure domestically and organized a coalition of 27 national security experts to join the plan, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.