Senate passes China package, uncertain prospects in the House
The US Innovation and Competition Act passed the Senate on Tuesday, 68–32. Nineteen Republicans voted in favor, a clear sign of bipartisan support as it heads to the House. President Joe Biden applauded the vote, saying that the bill reflects key aspects of his American Jobs Plan, and encouraging the House to advance the bill. Biden’s statement invoked the China challenge indirectly, noting that the United States is in...
US and China resume trade and economic engagement with Yellen and Tai talks
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Vice Premier and trade envoy Liu He met virtually to discuss US-China economic relations on Tuesday, less than a week after US Trade Representative Katherine Tai met with Liu. According to the Treasury Department, Yellen discussed the Biden administration’s plans for economic recovery and “frankly” tackled issues of concern in the US-China relationship. China’s...
Biden to name Nicholas Burns as next ambassador to China as competition-oriented policy comes into focus
As a career diplomat with the US Foreign Service, Burns served as under secretary of state for political affairs from 2005-2008, and as ambassador to NATO from 2001-2005. While Burns is not a China specialist—most of his foreign policy experience pertains to Europe and the Middle East—his background with NATO may be indicative of the Biden administration’s approach to the US-China...
Senate debating China package, aims to vote before May 28
This week, the Senate officially introduced the United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, a comprehensive proposal to bolster US competitiveness vis-à-vis China based on Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) Endless Frontier Act and several China-related proposals from key committees. On Monday, lawmakers voted 86–11 to begin debate on the over 1400-page bill. All 11 votes against beginning debate were from...
Senate could vote on China package as soon as next week
On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee approved the now 570-page Endless Frontier Act with several amendments, teeing up the bill for a potential floor vote before the end of the Senate work period on May 28. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ) suggested the bill could be considered on the floor as soon as next week. While Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) applauded the...
G7 reaches consensus on China approach
At the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting on Tuesday, Secretary of State Tony Blinken and his colleagues spent more than an hour coordinating their China strategy. According to a senior State Department official, the leaders agreed that China should be an “integral member” of the international order, but must also be willing to follow the rules.
This is reflected in a white paper the G7 leaders released afterward, in which...
Biden talks China and US competitiveness at Wednesday’s joint session of Congress
In his first speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, President Joe Biden outlined his domestic plans, framing them as a critical step in disproving China’s view that democracies cannot compete with autocracies in the twenty-first century. He stressed the importance of supporting domestic manufacturing, particularly in renewable energy. He also warned that China is closing in fast on US...
Biden and Xi build unified front on climate change
On Thursday, President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping pledged to work together to reach net-zero emissions during a US-hosted virtual leaders climate summit. Xi offered no new commitments or concessions to the United States during his speech on Thursday. Instead, he reiterated China’s commitments to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, goals that are reflected in China 14th Five-Year Plan (...
John Kerry becomes first Biden administration official to visit China
This week, United States Climate Envoy John Kerry is meeting with China’s climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, in Shanghai, making Kerry the first senior US official from the Biden administration to visit China.The White House will continue the climate focus at a virtual world leaders summit hosted by the United States over April 22 and 23. Though USCBC sources have indicated that Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to...
Biden infrastructure plan draws criticism despite bipartisan support for several elements
Members of Congress are scheduled to return to Washington next week and begin tackling a busy agenda. While Congress was out of session, President Joe Biden unveiled a more than $2 trillion infrastructure package addressing everything from roads and bridges to high-tech equipment. A portion of the plan was billed as an investment in domestic research and advanced manufacturing to compete with...
