Jackson Purchase News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke out on the Senate floor today, emphasizing the need for the Biden Administration to reassess its approach to competition with China. McConnell highlighted the faulty assessment of the challenges presented by the People's Republic of China (PRC) and called for a more proactive stance in engaging with allies and partners who share the United States' interest in preserving global peace.

McConnell criticized the Biden Administration's recent efforts to improve economic relations with China, citing the cyberattack that targeted Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo's official email just weeks before her visit to Beijing. He argued that the deteriorating economic relations with China are a result of President Xi's policies, which involve expropriating companies, stealing intellectual property, and subjecting workers to oppressive conditions.

The Republican Leader expressed concern over the Biden Administration's reluctance to negotiate trade deals with allies and partners while simultaneously seeking to strengthen trade ties with China. McConnell highlighted the public mockery of Secretary Raimondo's efforts by PRC officials, who dismissed them as "doomed to fail" and emphasized China's unwavering vigilance.

McConnell also criticized special climate envoy John Kerry's recent trip to Beijing, where he attempted to find common ground on green energy goals. He pointed out the irony of seeking cooperation with a nation that has publicly pledged to continue increasing carbon emissions for the next decade. McConnell questioned the effectiveness of such diplomatic efforts when they fail to secure meetings with high-ranking Chinese officials.

Emphasizing China as America's greatest strategic adversary, McConnell stressed that political relations with Beijing have declined due to China's aggressive actions, including intimidation of neighboring nations, espionage, technology theft, and undermining of global free markets. He urged the Biden Administration to come to terms with this reality and prioritize deeper engagement with allies and partners who share the United States' commitment to peace.

McConnell drew attention to Russia's recent escalation against Ukraine, which has prompted European allies to reevaluate their economic reliance on Russia. He highlighted the German foreign minister's warning against replacing dependence on Russian gas with new economic dependence on China. McConnell also underscored the concerns of Asian allies regarding China's growing assertiveness and Russia's military presence in the Pacific region, exemplified by a joint naval patrol off the coast of Alaska last month.