Gallagher leads committee to UK for China coordination.

Congressional Delegation Travels to UK to Coordinate on China Strategy

A Congressional delegation, led by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), is traveling to the UK on May 18 to coordinate with officials there on developing policies to more effectively counter China’s communist regime. Gallagher chairs the House Select Committee of Strategic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and will be joined by other Select Committee members to discuss China strategy with a British defense official and members of Parliament.

Focusing on Countering Economic Coercion

The Select Committee is increasing its focus on developing policies to counter the economic coercion of the CCP on a global scale, particularly the regime’s continued theft of critical defense technologies and its efforts to insulate its own economy from international policies. Gallagher emphasized that reviving economic engagement as a way to moderate the CCP’s aggression is not a viable option.

“The only question is, will we continue to be passive recipients of [China’s] decoupling strategy? Or, will we try to take charge of our own economic sovereignty, in concert with our allies, and insist at a minimum on basic reciprocity and leveling of the playing field?” Gallagher told The Epoch Times.

UK Slow to Adopt De-Risking Strategy

The UK has been slow to adopt a strategy of de-risking such as that promoted by the United States and Germany. Current British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has notably softened his stance on the regime by prioritizing economic engagement and reneging on a vow to categorize the CCP as a “threat” to the UK. However, Sunak has signaled that he may be amenable to following the United States’ lead on investment issues regarding China.

U.S. leadership is optimistic that the shared values and strategic goals that underpin the UK-U.S. alliance will win the day, according to State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel.

Former UK Prime Minister Calls for “Economic NATO”

The visit also follows closely on former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss’ visit to Taiwan this week, during which the former PM, who still serves as an MP, said that an “economic NATO” was required to counter the CCP regime’s efforts to vastly expand its military and further its global influence.

Key Takeaways:

• A Congressional delegation is traveling to the UK to coordinate on China strategy.
• The Select Committee is focusing on countering the economic coercion of the CCP on a global scale.
• The UK has been slow to adopt a de-risking strategy, but may be amenable to following the United States’ lead on investment issues regarding China.
• Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss called for an “economic NATO” to counter the CCP regime’s efforts to expand its military and global influence.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases