Larsen: United States must engage with China to better compete with China and the world

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN |||

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported a bipartisan effort to enhance U.S. global leadership and foster better economic and strategic engagement with China. The House of Representatives passed legislation establishing the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by a final vote of 365 to 65.

“The Select Committee is an opportunity for Congress to improve oversight of the U.S.-China relationship and enhance coordination of policy,” said Larsen, co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan U.S.-China Working Group. “However, the Select Committee must address legitimate national security concerns and rising competition without adopting a Cold War mentality. The U.S. and China are the world’s two largest economies and carbon emitters; smart engagement is critical to advancing U.S. interests.

“In making policy recommendations, the Select Committee should build on historic achievements that strengthened U.S. competitiveness and created jobs, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act.

“Additionally, all Members of Congress, particularly those on the Select Committee, have an obligation to advance policies and use language that diminishes and denounces anti-Asian hate in the U.S.”  

Larsen a Leading Voice for Economic and Strategic Engagement

Larsen is a leading voice for U.S. competitiveness, economic and strategic engagement in the Asia-Pacific region and advancing U.S. democratic values worldwide. Last year, Larsen introduced and supported legislation to restore Fulbright exchanges with China, increase the availability of U.S. digital infrastructure projects to compete with China in developing countries and make a bold, long-term investment in U.S. infrastructure.

In 2021, Larsen outlined a comprehensive strategy to boost U.S. competitiveness and global leadership, including identifying areas where bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and China is in both nations’ interest. To read Larsen’s White Paper, click here.