COUNTER Act of 2025

The COUNTER Act of 2025 (Combating PRC Overseas and Unlawful Networked Threats through Enhanced Resilience) would direct the federal government to address China's growing network of overseas military bases. If enacted, the bill would require the Secretaries of State and Defense to identify at least five priority locations where China is attempting to establish bases, assess current U.S. counter-efforts, and develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent China's global basing expansion. The legislation would also establish an interagency task force to implement this strategy and coordinate with U.S. allies to proactively prevent new Chinese military bases from being established. The bill includes provisions for regular reviews and updates to ensure the U.S. response remains aligned with evolving threats. This bipartisan legislation reflects concerns that China's expanding military footprint in the Indo-Pacific region threatens U.S. ability to defend allies, secure trade routes, and maintain American influence globally.