Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said, for the past decade, China’s leaders have been clear they are pursuing an alternative vision of their country’s future and have no plans to pursue political and economic reform.
Raimondo's remarks regarding China’s behavior in the international system and its effect on the United States were made public in a news release issued Nov. 30.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of relations between China and the United States,” Raimondo said, according to the release. “For most of this period, the United States was committed to the idea that economic engagement with China would serve our mutual interests: first, as a counterweight to the Soviet Union, and later as a gateway to a deeper political and economic partnership.”
The growth of China’s economy in size and influence has been accompanied by a commitment to use non-market trade and investment practices. These practices force the U.S. to defend businesses and workers and its partners and allies, the release reported. The U.S. must rethink the protection of its national security interests while promoting trade and investment interests due to China prioritizing national security and assertive military behavior over economic growth.
The U.S. championed the benefits of a robust trade and investment relationship with China for almost 40 years, Raimondo said, according to the release. Often the long-term costs were overlooked in favor of near-term benefits, she said.
“And above all, we must remember that sustaining these benefits over the long term requires that we defend our security and values in the near term,” she said, according to the release.
