Taking on Communist China
There is no doubt that the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, represents one of the greatest challenges to the future of the free world. In my first months as a Member of Congress, the CCP’s ambitions – and their abuses – crop up in almost every policy area. As we think about the future of America, the United States has to be bold in our approach to the CCP and shaping policy towards China. Here are five key policy areas that all of us need to be thinking about when it comes to our future.
National Security: From surveilling their own people to collecting data from TikTok users around the world, the CCP will stop at nothing as they conduct espionage to achieve their goals. Just last week, I sent a letter calling on the U.S. Department of Commerce to provide an update on their investigation into the use of Huawei hardware in cell towers located in Nebraska. Huawei has deep ties to the CCP, and this could pose a substantial national security threat due to the technology’s proximity to military installations in Nebraska, including Offutt Air Force base and STRATCOM.
Protecting Intellectual Property: From manufacturing secrets to patented biotechnology, the CCP has stolen about $200 billion to $600 billion annually over the last 20 years – adding up to trillions in intellectual property taken from Americans. It’s easy as Americans to take the rule of law for granted, but the CCP has no respect for your property rights. Private businesses need to take steps to protect their trade secrets, and Congress needs to ensure that our laws protect American intellectual property. At a recent congressional hearing on Right to Repair, I highlighted the risks present in opening farm IP without the right protections against CCP theft. You can watch my full comments over at www.flood.house.gov.
South China Sea & Taiwan: The CCP has been watching Joe Biden’s response to Russia’s assault on Ukraine closely. In recent months, China has been stepping up military exercises in the South China Sea, and in August they conducted several days of exercises in several regions around Taiwan. The South China Sea is a critical route that connects the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean, and Taiwan, which borders the sea, is a major supplier of semiconductors for the world. About a third of all worldwide trade passes through the South China Sea. If the CCP senses continued weakness from the Biden Administration, this could lead to additional instability with long-term consequences for the entire world.
Trade Fairness: President Trump made big strides in making America’s trade with China fairer, and we must continue to make progress in securing America’s economic future. We cannot continue to depend on China to make vast amounts of consumer products for the United States – it’s long overdue for American manufacturers to re-shore their operations and bring jobs home. Additionally, America needs to make progress in diversifying how it sources rare earth metals used in manufacturing. In recent years, China has been responsible for more than 80% of the world’s supply of these critical resources.
Human Rights: The CCP’s lack of respect for human rights is well known around the world, and the availability of the internet and social media have only heightened awareness of the government’s abuses. In recent years, the CCP has persecuted people ranging from the Uighurs in Xinjiang to Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong, an outspoken advocate for human rights and religious freedom. While Congress has taken action to highlight the CCP’s human rights abuses, we must continue to raise awareness and put pressure on the Beijing to respect the dignity of religious and ethnic minority populations.
These are just a few examples of the challenges ahead of us with the CCP. As we move forward, I will keep working to push for policy that holds China accountable and builds a fairer trade environment.
As always, the First Congressional District office team is ready to assist with challenges with federal agencies, military academy nominations, scheduling requests and any other needs you might encounter. You can call 402-438-1598 or visit my website listed above to get in touch. I look forward to hearing from you.