Schumer meets Shanghai party chief during Senate trip to China.
Schumer Leads Bipartisan Delegation to China, Calls for Fair Competition
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) embarked on a bipartisan delegation to China, starting with a meeting with Shanghai’s communist party boss. Schumer emphasized the need for a level playing field in economic competition between the two countries. The delegation, which includes senators from both parties, will also visit South Korea and Japan during their three-country tour.
Addressing Concerns and Seeking Reciprocity
Schumer expressed the concerns of American constituents who feel that China does not treat American companies fairly. He stressed the importance of reciprocity, allowing American companies to compete freely in China, just as Chinese companies do in the United States. The delegation aims to compete without seeking conflict.
Shanghai Official Emphasizes Stable Relationship
The Shanghai communist party secretary, Chen Jining, avoided discussing specific issues but highlighted the significance of maintaining a stable China-U.S. relationship. He acknowledged the presence of over 5,600 U.S. companies in Shanghai and offered opportunities to promote trade at the local level.
Fentanyl and Economic Challenges
Schumer also raised concerns about the supply of fentanyl precursors from China, which contribute to the opioid crisis in the United States. The delegation’s visit coincides with tensions between the two countries, including new U.S. restrictions on Chinese companies and China’s complaints about economic coercion.
Republican Senators Express Doubts
Before the delegation’s arrival, several Republican senators expressed doubts about engaging with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials. Senator Rick Scott criticized Schumer’s efforts, stating that they would not stop CCP’s human rights abuses, fentanyl trafficking, or theft of American resources. Senator Marco Rubio, who was sanctioned by China, warned against accommodating the CCP.
Call for Senate Action
Some senators, including Bill Hagerty, argued that Schumer should have canceled the Senate’s recess and focused on debating appropriations bills to prevent a government shutdown. Hagerty believed that Schumer’s trip to China was ill-timed.
Despite these concerns, the Biden administration supports the delegation’s visit, and other top officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, have also visited China this year.
How does Schumer propose to address the barriers faced by American companies when trying to access the Chinese market?
China has engaged in unfair trade practices that have harmed American businesses and workers. He called for a more balanced and reciprocal economic relationship, where both countries have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field.
During the meeting with Shanghai’s communist party boss, Schumer reiterated the importance of fair competition and highlighted how American businesses face numerous barriers when trying to access the Chinese market. These barriers include intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer, and non-tariff barriers that limit market access for American companies.
Schumer emphasized that American companies should not be forced to hand over their technology and intellectual property as a condition to access the Chinese market. He stressed the importance of protecting intellectual property rights, as it is crucial for innovation and ensuring a fair and competitive business environment.
Furthermore, Schumer called for greater transparency in China’s trade practices and expressed concerns about the lack of a level playing field. He urged the Chinese government to address these concerns and create an environment that allows for fair competition.
In addition to the meeting in China, Schumer and the delegation will also visit South Korea and Japan. This three-country tour highlights the importance of the Indo-Pacific region in the global economy and the need for strong relationships with key allies in the region.
The visit to South Korea and Japan will provide an opportunity to discuss shared economic goals and concerns. It will also allow for discussions on how to address the challenges posed by China’s economic practices and ensure fair competition in the region.
Schumer’s bipartisan delegation sends a strong message that addressing concerns about China’s trade practices is a bipartisan issue. It shows that both Democrats and Republicans recognize the need to stand up for American businesses and workers, and to ensure that unfair trade practices are addressed.
This delegation is a critical step in strengthening the relationship between the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region. It underscores the importance of allies working together to address shared economic challenges and ensure fair competition in the global marketplace.
Overall, Schumer’s leadership and the bipartisan delegation’s visit to China, South Korea, and Japan highlight the need for fair competition in the global economy. Their efforts to address concerns and seek reciprocity in trade practices will serve to protect American businesses and workers, while also strengthening relationships with key allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
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