Visiting China, Schumer Urges Fair Treatment of US Firms
By Brenda Goh
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer kicked off his rare trip to China by emphasizing that Washington does not seek to decouple from China. Instead, Schumer called for reciprocal and fair treatment for U.S. companies, aiming to achieve a level playing field in economic competition.
During a meeting with Shanghai’s Communist Party Secretary, Chen Jining, Schumer reiterated that the United States does not desire conflict and emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two nations. Schumer leads a bipartisan congressional delegation to Asia, with scheduled stops in South Korea and Japan. The purpose of the trip is to advance U.S. economic and national security interests, while also aiming to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This visit follows a series of high-level visits by Biden administration officials, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in August. Schumer acknowledged that many American constituents feel that China does not treat U.S. companies fairly. He stressed the need for reciprocity, allowing American companies to compete freely in China, just as Chinese companies do in the United States.
After passing a comprehensive bill last year to bolster competition with China in the semiconductor and technology sectors, Schumer and Democratic committee leaders announced their intention in May to draft legislation that would restrict the flow of technology to China, deter conflict with Taiwan, and tighten regulations to prevent U.S. capital from flowing to Chinese companies.
The delegation, consisting of six senators led by Republican Mike Crapo, will engage with government and business leaders in the three countries they visit, as well as representatives from U.S. companies operating in the region. The group arrived at Shanghai’s Pudong airport at 2 p.m. (0600 GMT).
Shanghai’s Chen emphasized the significance of the bilateral relationship between China and the United States, describing it as the most important relationship in the world. He expressed the need for cooperation between the two nations.
The Biden administration has implemented restrictions on chip exports to China, citing concerns over advanced technology being used for military advancements or human rights abuses. In response, China accused the United States of economic coercion.
In August, Secretary Raimondo highlighted that U.S. companies had raised complaints about the increasing risks of doing business in China, stating that it had become “uninvestable” for them. The concerns stem from fines, raids, and other actions taken against U.S. businesses. Raimondo emphasized the need for action, as patience among American businesses is wearing thin.
Conclusion:
Chuck Schumer’s visit to China aims to address concerns about fair treatment of U.S. companies in the Chinese market. The bipartisan delegation hopes to foster a level playing field for economic competition and cooperation between the two nations. By emphasizing reciprocity, Schumer seeks to ensure that American companies can freely compete in China, just as Chinese companies do in the United States. This visit follows previous high-level engagements between the Biden administration and China, indicating the importance of the bilateral relationship. As tensions persist, both countries are grappling with issues surrounding technology, military advancements, and human rights. The outcome of Schumer’s trip and subsequent legislative efforts will be closely watched as the United States navigates its relationship with China.
