Cape News

When the American people voted to give House Republicans the majority, one of the reasons was because they promised to continue former President Trump’s strong policies that countered the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). For many years, China has been unchecked in expanding its influence globally and threatening the U.S. economically and militarily. Among the first actions taken after being elected to the majority was creating a China Select Committee to focus on countering this aggression.

During the week of September 9, House Republicans passed several pieces of legislation aimed at countering communist China. It was part of an ongoing effort to strengthen America’s edge against China and push back against its efforts to gain advantages over the U.S. and its allies. While bold acts of espionage like the Chinese Spy Balloon incident made headlines, there are many more subtle aspects of China’s strategy to expand its influence globally.

"As Ways and Means Chairman, I’ve led the fight to bring an end to a Biden-Harris administration policy that opened the door for Chinese billionaires and the CCP to take billions from hard-working American taxpayers," said a representative. "The End Chinese Dominance of Electric Vehicles in America Act, which originated in my Ways and Means Committee and advanced through the House, gets rid of the Biden-Harris administration’s policy and will also encourage more American mining, processing, and manufacturing of critical minerals and other electric vehicle battery components."

"Food security is national security," continued another statement. "And like so many in Missouri, I have strong concerns about the threat posed by China buying up our farmland. The CCP has proven time and again that it will seek to leverage any ownership interest they have to weaken America." The Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 aims to prevent foreign adversaries from using U.S. farms as leverage.

"For years, the CCP has used America’s classrooms as vehicles to spread propaganda and expand influence," noted another representative. Confucius Institutes (CIs) set up at colleges under the guise of promoting Chinese language and culture were cited as tools for spreading propaganda. Legislation was passed restricting federal funding to colleges with ties to CIs or related entities.

"It's no secret that China has sought economic advantage over the U.S. by stealing intellectual property and trade secrets," costing American taxpayers up to $500 billion annually according to statements made by representatives. The Trump administration's China Initiative combated this theft effectively but was ended by the Biden-Harris administration in 2022 due to pressure from activists. New legislation aims to revive these policies.

Time is considered crucial when it comes to countering communist China. There is hope expressed that the Senate will move quickly on passing this tough-on-China legislation so it can be signed into law promptly.