Blinken Addresses China's Unfair Trade Practices During Beijing Visit

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials in Beijing on April 27, 2024, as part of a three-day visit to China. During the meetings, Blinken addressed several contentious issues in the U.S.-China relationship, including China's unfair trade practices, low-priced exports, and their negative impact on businesses and workers in other countries.

Blinken emphasized that the U.S. does not aim to hold back China's development, but "the way China grows matters." He specifically called out China's non-market economic policies and practices that distort trade and threaten the U.S. economy and national security. Blinken advocated for fair treatment and a level playing field for American workers and firms operating in China.

Sec. Blinken said, “What we're focused on is practices engaged in by China that are unfair and undermine our businesses and our workers.”

“Products that are produced here...sold at low prices and sometimes below-market prices in other countries, pushing businesses from those countries out of business and having potentially devastating effects on communities...that's something that we...are standing against.”

The Secretary of State also warned about the consequences of China's continued support for Russia's war in Ukraine. Blinken stated that Russia would struggle to sustain its assault without China's backing and that this support poses a growing threat to European security. He reiterated the U.S.'s serious concern over China supplying dual-use goods to Russia that have helped rebuild its defense industrial base.

Why this matters: The U.S.-China relationship is one of the most consequential in the world, with far-reaching implications for global trade, security, and geopolitics. Blinken's visit and the issues addressed highlight the ongoing tensions and challenges in managing this complex relationship, which has significant ramifications for businesses, workers, and international stability.

Despite the contentious topics discussed, both sides described the talks as candid and constructive. Blinken and Chinese officials agreed to hold the first dialogues on artificial intelligence in the coming weeks and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication.

Key Takeaways

• Blinken met with Xi Jinping to address U.S.-China tensions on trade, Russia, and security.
• Blinken criticized China's unfair trade practices and called for a level playing field.
• Blinken warned of consequences if China continues supporting Russia's war in Ukraine.
• Both sides described the talks as candid and constructive, agreeing to hold AI dialogues.
• The U.S.-China relationship has far-reaching implications for global trade, security, and geopolitics.