Senate’s infrastructure bill includes China elements
In advance of a planned month-long August recess, the Senate focused on the bipartisan infrastructure package this week. Though the bill’s primary focus is traditional domestic infrastructure, it includes several provisions relevant to the US-China commercial relationship. More could be added as negotiations on amendments continue.
Study of China’s labor practices in the electric vehicle industry: The proposal would require...
Sherman-Wang meeting in Tianjin touches on thorny issues
Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with Chinese officials including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng in Tianjin. Though the meeting was reportedly contentious at times, it allowed the United States and China to establish red lines and demands to guide future engagements.
During the “frank and open” discussion, Sherman raised several concerns about PRC actions in Xinjiang, Hong Kong,...
Wendy Sherman and Wang Yi to meet in China this weekend
After hitting some roadblocks on the way to confirming a meeting, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will meet Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tianjin over July 25–26. This will be the first high-level US-China meeting since Secretary of State Tony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Wang and Politburo Member Yang Jiechi this past winter in Alaska. According to the State...
State Department, Senate, and Commerce move on Xinjiang concerns
The State Department issued an updated supply chain advisory on Tuesday stressing the potential legal implications for companies that fail to sever ties with partners and investments in Xinjiang given human rights concerns. The advisory does not have the force of law but enumerates existing US laws requiring corporate due diligence. It also includes a list of industries reportedly using forced labor in Xinjiang, and links...
What to expect from Congress on China this summer
Congress was out of session this past week but is expected to return after the weekend. The Senate will begin holding votes and committee hearings on Monday, July 12, while the House is not scheduled to hold floor votes until at least Monday, July 19. While most agenda items are not China-related, Congress is expected to continue considering several proposals and nominations with implications for US companies that do business in China...
House markup reveals deep partisan divisions on China foreign policy
After hours of debate, the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) appears unlikely to forward the EAGLE Act to the full House on a bipartisan basis. The EAGLE Act is the House’s answer to the Senate’s Strategic Competition Act—a pillar of the recently passed US Innovation and Competition Act (USICA). During debate, the EAGLE Act drew fierce criticism from Republicans who repeatedly called it a “trojan horse” for...
Biden administration blacklists Xinjiang polysilicon companies over forced labor
On Thursday, three Biden administration agencies took action against five polysilicon and solar companies as part of a whole of government approach to address forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
The Commerce Department placed Hoshine Silicon Industry Company and four other Chinese companies on the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Entity List, requiring a license to conduct...
Biden uses Europe trip to build consensus on China
Framed broadly as an effort to rally allies in a battle between democracy and autocracy, President Biden’s week-long Europe trip laid the foundation for the administration's multilateral approach to addressing emerging challenges presented by China. Biden met with G7 and NATO allies, as well as other European leaders, before attending a US-Russia summit with President Vladimir Putin. During the trip, the European Union and United...
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...
