Media Contact 202-226-8467

WASHINGTON, DC – China Task Force Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) along with all other members of the China Task Force, Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY), Andy Barr (R-KY), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Robert J. Wittman (R-VA), Scott Perry (R-PA), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Mark Green (R-TN), Mike Garcia (R-CA), Austin Scott (R-GA), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Young Kim (R-CA), have released the following statement in reaction to recent comments by top Biden Administration officials, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. Raimondo recently told The Wall Street Journal, “Robust commercial engagement will help mitigate potential tensions…and prevent unintended conflict.” Kerry recently dismissed the genocide currently being perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party, saying, “life is always full of tough choices…but first and foremost, this planet must be protected.”

“We are gravely concerned by both the tone and language being used by high-ranking Biden Administration officials, including Secretary Raimondo and Special Envoy Kerry. Neither of them appear to grasp the true threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party even though FBI Director Wray just last week said, ‘The greatest long-term threat to our nation’s information and intellectual property, and to our economic vitality, is the counterintelligence and economic espionage threat from China. It’s a threat to our economic security— and by extension, to our national security.’ We are calling on these officials to immediately receive a threat briefing and review the broken promises, theft of intellectual property, rampant economic espionage, and blatant coercion of American citizens that has resulted over decades of assuming commercial engagement would prevent tensions. President Biden must provide Congress with a comprehensive strategy, and disavow corporate backchannel negotiations, in addressing the CCP for what it is rather than what we hope it will be.”

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