Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took aim at China on Monday, accusing the nation’s Communist government of covering up the origins of the coronavirus pandemic and waging a campaign to steal Florida’s secrets.
DeSantis signed two bills that seek to tackle espionage and prevent foreign adversaries from stealing intellectual property.
“All we are doing today is saying enough is enough,” DeSantis said. “We have to start fighting back. Florida is doing that.”
The first bill toughens penalties for stealing a trade secret to benefit a foreign government. The second bill requires universities and colleges to disclose grants and donations of more than $50,000 from foreign governments. It also will implement extra vetting of foreign applicants for research positions.
____
