Senator Chuck Schumer emphasized the need for reciprocity with China in order to compete fairly in a press release on October 10. Schumer made these statements after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a bipartisan Senate delegation earlier in the month. 

Schumer highlighted the importance of reciprocity in the relationship between the United States and China. He stated, "We need reciprocity. That means allowing American companies to compete as freely in China as Chinese companies are able to compete in America. I made clear to President Xi that we do not believe there is a level playing field or reciprocity now."

Reciprocity in economic terms, according to Schumer, is to have American companies acting similarly to how Chinese companies behave in the US. Schumer said, "For decades, the Chinese government has erected significant barriers aimed at restricting the ability of American companies to compete in an open and fair manner in China." He mentioned the Chinese government’s "forced technology transfers, theft of intellectual property, required joint ventures, and intimidation of U.S. businesses operating in China" which do not equal any version of reciprocity.

According to America First Policy Institute (AFPI), the CCP is the "most comprehensive threat" to US national security since the Soviet Union. Reciprocity is a key term to balancing the China-US relationship. AFPI calls reciprocity the "guiding principle" and defines it as: "the CCP and anyone tied to it should have no access to any institution or opportunity in America beyond that which we have access to in China."

Senator Schumer's call for reciprocity reflects growing concerns about China's economic practices and its impact on American businesses. As the United States seeks to compete on a level playing field, the issue of reciprocity will likely continue to be a key point of discussion in future negotiations with China.