Senators warn Trump: Don't give China ‘access to US-made military technologies’

Source: Washington Examiner | May 22, 2018 | Joel Gehrke

China must not be granted “access to U.S.-made military technologies and advanced dual-use technologies” in exchange for better trade relations, more than two dozen senators warned President Trump’s economic team.

“We strongly support these critical negotiations to rebalance the U.S.-China economic relationship, but U.S. national security must remain the paramount consideration,” Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio wrote in a letter signed by 25 other lawmakers. “Therefore, we strongly urge you to reject any proposal by China to loosen existing restrictions on the export or other transfer of these sensitive U.S. technologies.”

“Any such move would bolster China’s aggressive military modernization and significantly undermine long-term U.S. national security interests,” the lawmakers continued.

The letter, which was also signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reflects broad congressional concern that Trump’s administration will make strategic mistakes in its trade discussions with China given Trump’s economic officials are reportedly divided about how to approach the high-stakes talks.

Trump’s team is split between free-trade advocates and protectionists. The free-traders, led by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, reportedly have considered making it easier for Chinese companies to purchase “militarily sensitive products,” according to the New York Times.

Congressional worries were exacerbated after Trump signaled he would reverse a ban imposed on Chinese tech company ZTE, which prohibited it from purchasing American software in response to a personal request from Chinese President Xi Jinping. ZTE was originally punished for defying U.S. sanctions on Iran, and American lawmakers believe it collaborates with Chinese intelligence officers.

…..

Tagged: , , ,

Viewing 1 post (of 1 total)
Viewing 1 post (of 1 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.