Gina Raimondo Visits China to Establish Open Lines of Communication

In a high-stakes visit to Beijing and Shanghai, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo met with Chinese officials this week. The trip marked an important milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two nations, as Raimondo became the first U.S. Commerce secretary to travel to China in five years.

Raimondo emphasized the fierce competition between the U.S. and China at every level, stating that managing this competition is crucial. She believes that open communication and structured discussions are necessary to address commercial issues and avoid further tensions and misunderstandings.

Protecting National Security and U.S. Interests

Raimondo’s visit to China followed recent visits from other high-level U.S. officials, including U.S. special envoy for climate John Kerry, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. However, her trip was overshadowed by a previous cyber attack on her emails by Chinese hackers.

During the visit, Raimondo openly addressed the cyber attack and expressed concerns about national security, U.S. labor, and U.S. business. She emphasized that the export controls imposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security are aimed at protecting national security rather than gaining an economic advantage.

Nuanced Export Controls Policy

One of the key issues discussed was the new export controls imposed in 2022, which restrict Chinese businesses’ ability to purchase certain advanced semiconductors from American suppliers. Raimondo clarified that these export controls are meant to prevent the sale of sophisticated American chips to the Chinese military.

However, she highlighted that the U.S. will continue to sell billions of dollars worth of chips to China, as the majority of chips produced are not cutting-edge technology. Raimondo emphasized that this trade will generate revenue for American businesses and enable further research and development.

Raimondo’s visit to China aims to establish open lines of communication and manage the competitive relationship between the two nations. By addressing key concerns such as national security and commercial issues, she strives to maintain a balance that benefits both countries.