Rep. Mike Gallagher, chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), told Federal Newswire he supports seeking reciprocity in the relationship between the U.S. and the People's Republic of China (PRC). Gallagher's comments come shortly after bipartisan U.S. senators introduced the True Reciprocity Act of 2023, which aims to address imbalances in the U.S.-China relationship in sectors including trade, diplomacy and media.
"The principle of reciprocity should be at the core of any negotiations between the U.S. and the PRC – fair is fair. Senator Sullivan’s legislation would help push the Biden administration to end the diplomatic and economic double standards the PRC has enjoyed at our expense," said Mike Gallagher.
The bill was introduced by Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) in Oct., directing relevant federal departments to submit a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment outlining differences between the treatment of journalists, businesses, NGOs, diplomats and officials in China versus those in U.S. and recommending a strategy to address those imbalances.
The legislation emphasizes an "unacceptably nonreciprocal" relationship between both nations, causing significant discrepancies in diplomatic privileges such as travel restrictions for American diplomats visiting China compared to their Chinese counterparts' treatment within U.S..
The bill highlights China's use of "exit bans" on American citizens who aren't accused of any crimes but are used as leverage against family or associates wanted by Chinese law enforcement.
The bill points out the censorship, harassment and restrictions facing U.S. journalists reporting from China. The 2023 World Press Freedom Index ranked China 179 out of 180 nations, placing them only above North Korea in terms of journalist liberties.
The bill also notes China's increased influence through programs like Confucius Institutes within American classrooms while similar programs from the U.S government face closure when operating within China.
The bill states that China has failed to uphold its agreements with the World Trade Organization regarding intellectual property transfers, joint venture requirements, and subsidies, with the legislation claiming that these violations skew global competition in favor of China at American businesses' expense.
The bill emphasizes that U.S. policy must prioritize reciprocity with China, defining "reciprocity" as "the mutual and equitable exchange of privileges between governments, countries, businesses, or individuals."
