The White House is considering an executive order that would limit how cloud computing companies can operate internationally.

Cloud computing has experienced meteoric growth since the coronavirus pandemic, as companies have migrated workflows to the cloud in order to support a remote workforce. With the rise in popularity, however, security risks have become more of a factor.

There is additional cause for concern when domestic cloud providers partner with providers in a foreign country—especially providers in countries such as China, that have a reputation for state-sponsored hacking.

As a result, according to POLITICO , the White House is preparing an executive order that would give the Commerce Department the authority to “prohibit U.S. cloud providers from partnering with foreign cloud companies that offer safe haven to hackers and give the Commerce secretary the ability to ban those foreign providers from operating in the U.S.”

Should the White House move forward with the executive order, it will no doubt ratchet up the trade war with China, and may result in further retaliation.