The United States’ Commitment to National Security and Human Rights in its Economic Relationship with China
The United States will not compromise on national security interests and human rights in its pursuit of a “healthy” economic relationship with communist China, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized on Thursday.
Yellen’s remarks came ahead of an upcoming meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in San Francisco later this month.
Speaking at the Asia Society in Washington on November 2, Yellen outlined the United States’ approach towards China, emphasizing three main goals:
Securing U.S. national security interests and advancing human rights
Yellen made it clear that the United States has no intention of decoupling from China but rather adopts a “serious and clear-eyed” approach towards achieving these goals.
Yellen emphasized that when the United States takes national security actions using economic tools, it does so in narrowly targeted ways to accomplish its goals without stifling China’s growth.
Responding to China’s unfair economic practices, such as nonmarket policies and barriers to market access, is crucial for maintaining a healthy economic relationship, according to Yellen.
Furthermore, the United States aims to collaborate with China on global challenges like climate change and debt distress in low-income countries.
However, Yellen stressed that effective communication between the two sides is essential to prevent misunderstandings and clarify areas of agreement and disagreement.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi prior to meetings at the State Department in Washington, on Oct. 26, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Tensions between China and the United States have reached historic lows due to various disputes. The Biden administration seeks high-level engagements with the CCP to stabilize these tensions.
President Biden recently emphasized the need for responsible management of competition and open lines of communication with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi.
Why the United States Won’t Decouple From China
Yellen explained that a complete separation of the U.S. and Chinese economies is not practical due to extensive economic linkages and complex global supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region.
She emphasized that a divided world with full economic separation would have significant negative global repercussions, which the United States aims to avoid.
Instead, the United States plans to de-risk and diversify its economic ties with Beijing by investing domestically and strengthening alliances with partners worldwide.
Yellen highlighted the importance of economic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region for supply chain security and expressed the United States’ intention to enhance economic ties with countries like India and Vietnam.
Trade between the United States and the Indo-Pacific region has steadily increased, reaching $2.28 trillion in 2022, with the United States exporting approximately $770 billion worth of goods and services to the region last year.
Yellen concluded by stating that the United States aims to generate diverse and secure supply chains while protecting national security, advancing its values, and fostering economic growth across the Indo-Pacific.
How does Janet Yellen’s approach towards China align with President Biden’s vision for the U.S.-China relationship
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In her speech, Yellen expressed the United States’ commitment to holding China accountable for its human rights abuses, including the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong.
She highlighted that the United States will use its economic relationship with China as a tool to advocate for human rights and to push for reforms in areas such as labor rights, intellectual property protection, and the rule of law.
Yellen’s comments come at a time of increasing tensions between the two countries, with issues such as trade, technology, and human rights becoming sources of contention.
It is notable that Yellen’s approach emphasizes a pragmatic and nuanced strategy towards China, recognizing both the importance of economic engagement and the need to address human rights concerns.
This approach is in line with President Biden’s vision for the United States’ relationship with China, which seeks to compete with China where necessary, cooperate where possible, and confront China on issues such as human rights and unfair trade practices.
The upcoming meeting between Biden and Xi will be an important opportunity to discuss and advance these goals.
In conclusion, the United States is committed to maintaining a “healthy” economic relationship with China while ensuring its national security interests and advocating for human rights.
Through targeted and measured actions, the United States aims to address China’s unfair economic practices, collaborate with China on global challenges, and hold China accountable for its human rights abuses.
The meeting between President Biden and Xi Jinping will be instrumental in advancing these goals and shaping the future of the U.S.-China relationship.
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