WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, joined Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and seven Republican colleagues in re-introducing the Strengthening Trade, Regional Alliances, Technology, and Economic and Geopolitical Initiatives Concerning China Act (STRATEGIC Act) to advance a comprehensive strategy for U.S. competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
“Addressing the threat that China poses to our fundamental values of freedom, human rights, and free enterprise is the central challenge facing us in the 21st century,” Senator Romney said. “We must take decisive action now to confront China’s growing aggression, which includes linking arms with our friends and allies to dissuade the Chinese Communist Party from its predatory policies and demand that China abide by the norms and rules which the rest of us follow. This legislation develops additional tools to help us understand China’s intent, guards against China’s malign influence, and safeguards our interests.”
“The Chinese Communist Party presents an unprecedented threat to not only U.S. values and interests, but also to the free and open international system characterized by individual freedom and the rule of law – something the United States has carefully built over seven decades,” said Senator Risch. “Any legislation that aims to confront this threat must address the full range of challenges posed by the CCP and marshal broad bipartisan support. That is why I am proud to re-introduce the first comprehensive legislative package on competition with the PRC with several colleagues that have strong records on China. We are committed to working with our Democratic colleagues to ensure the United States and its allies and partners are prepared for this competition.”
Senator Romney and Ranking Member Risch were joined by Senators Todd Young (R-IN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Rob Portman (R-OH).
Key provisions of the STRATEGIC Act:
- Tackle China’s economic practices that distort global markets and hurt U.S. businesses, especially IP theft and mass government subsidization and sponsorship of Chinese companies.
- Confront tech competition by increasing technology collaboration with allies and partners.
- Safeguard institutions from malign and undue PRC influence.
- Strengthen U.S. posture in the Indo-Pacific to protect its interests, allies, and partners.
The STRATEGIC Act was previously introduced in the 116th Congress. Full text of this legislation can be found here.