U.S. Commerce Secretary Visits China

Aug. 27, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)—While some small improvements in U.S.-China relations may be made during the visit, only with the rejection of geopolitical confrontation can conflict between the two nations be avoided.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo arrived in Beijing on Aug. 27, Sunday night. A Global Times article says that the visit “is unlikely to witness big breakthroughs in the trade and commerce field between China and the U.S.”

Some small moves, such as the potential extension by six months of the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement, and the removal of 27 Chinese entities from a U.S. list (leaving over 600 still on it), are being made, but U.S.-China trade is declining. The U.S. imported $203 billion of goods from China in the first half of this year, down 25% from the same period in 2022.

An opportunity for dialogue is welcome, but until Washington abandons its British Empire-like hegemonism, such missions cannot succeed.