According to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, it is now obvious to American authorities that China, which was previously thought of as a potential economic and political partner, has turned into an increasing danger to American workers, businesses, and the national security of the country.
In a lecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Raimondo stated that “China’s leaders have made plain over the past ten years that they do not plan to undertake political and economic change and are instead pursuing an alternative vision of their country’s future.” We need to reevaluate how we safeguard our national security interests while simultaneously advancing our trade and investment objectives in light of China’s shift in emphasis from economic growth to national security and its provocative military conduct.
According to Raimondo, Chinese officials have made it clear over the past ten years that decoupling in future technology fields and growing the role of the state in society and the economy are more essential than political and economic change.
The most concerning aspect, according to Raimondo, is that they are working harder than ever to combine their military aspirations with economic and technological agendas. “China’s willingness to use nonmarket trade and investment policies in ways that are pressuring us to safeguard United States businesses and employees as well as those of our friends and partners has risen along with its economy’s size and influence as well,” the author continued.
Chinese officials are stacked on international technological standard-setting committees, according to Raimondo, in an effort to advance the ideals of the nation and increase its influence. She said it compromises good governance, disadvantages American businesses, and jeopardizes many of our core principles, including information freedom and data privacy.
Nearly two weeks ago, President Joe Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for about three hours before the G-20 conference in Indonesia, during which he voiced his opposition to China’s escalating hostility toward Taiwan. As tensions between China and Taiwan increased as a result of Chinese intimidation, the leaders pushed for a bilateral partnership.
To guarantee that funding in research and innovation “may never be utilized to boost China’s military,” according to Raimondo, strict regulations were put in place under the CHIPS and Science Act, which Biden signed into law in August. The administration is concerned that military equipment made using semiconductor chips may be utilized against the United States.
Export restrictions were put in place for semiconductors made in China by American companies in October by the Biden administration. The Commerce Department also prohibited American citizens from working for China’s chip manufacturing business and imposed licensing limitations on the sale of certain chips that can be utilized in contemporary military systems.
Defending against a “growing and rising variety of activities” directed at American workers and businesses and constituting a danger to national security, according to Raimondo, the U.S. government aims to compete with China in determining the global economy.
She said that “China now offers a number of rising threats to our national security.” “That is true. It is using its military in ways that endanger the safety of our friends, partners, and the open market throughout the world.
Raimondo did, however, agree that the United States gains from the roughly $750 billion in yearly commerce with China, which is the country’s third-largest export market. According to her, exports sustain approximately 750,000 employees in both major and small American sectors.
“We want to maintain our promotion of investment and commerce. However, in sectors where there is no potential to jeopardize our interests, values, national security, or economic security, while also utilizing every weapon at our disposal to defend our businesses and fight unfair business practices, Raimondo added.