The U.S. House recently approved a series of bills aimed at countering China’s influence, focusing on areas such as technology, spying at schools, farmland ownership, electric cars, and diplomacy. The bipartisan effort reflected a consensus on the need to address China’s growing power, with Republicans emphasizing national security concerns and Democrats raising issues of discrimination. The Chinese Embassy in Washington has expressed opposition to the measures, warning of potential damage to bilateral relations and U.S. interests.
The measures targeted Chinese technology, with a bill aiming to prevent federal funding to biotech companies with Chinese ties and another outlawing Chinese drones on national security grounds. There was also a focus on preventing Chinese access to U.S. technology that could be used for military purposes. The House also passed a bill to curb spying by Beijing on U.S. intellectual property and academic institutions, with some Democrats criticizing the revival of a Trump-era program as discriminatory.
Concerns were raised about bias in a bill flagging land sales involving citizens from China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran, with the goal of reversing the trend of Chinese purchases of American agricultural land. There was also a measure narrowly approving the exclusion of Chinese electric cars from receiving clean-vehicle tax credits, with Republicans arguing against subsidizing unfair trade practices. Diplomatic efforts included boosting sanctions on China and deepening ties with Asia-Pacific countries to counter China’s influence, particularly in response to Chinese aggression towards Taiwan.
Overall, the House’s actions reflect a growing bipartisan consensus on the need to address China’s influence and protect U.S. interests in various sectors. The measures passed in the House signal a strong stance against Chinese technology, espionage efforts, land ownership, and trade practices. The Chinese Embassy’s opposition to the bills underscores the potential impact on bilateral relations, raising concerns about the future of U.S.-China relations. The Senate’s approval of these measures will be crucial in determining the extent of the U.S. government’s response to China’s growing power and influence in various sectors.
