“Republicans will work to end America’s dependence on China for medicine, minerals, and manufacturing. This is not about isolation. It is about independence.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about the urgent need to bring life-saving supply chains back to the United States and to end America’s dependence on Communist China.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
“I rise today to speak about America’s future. It is a future that must be secure, prosperous, and free from dependency on Communist China. For decades, weak policies allowed China to exploit our workers, our innovation, and our markets. Under Republican leadership, America is reclaiming its strength.
“Yesterday, the Senate confirmed David Purdue to be the Ambassador to China. He is a proven business leader and accomplished former Senator. His extensive experience dealing with China equips him to represent America’s interests firmly. His confirmation shows Beijing that, under President Trump, America will put our workers, families, and security first.
“The United States seeks a relationship with China that is fair, respectful, and reciprocal. Yet China’s predatory actions demand a robust response.
“China’s economic abuses are outrageous. With its predatory playbook, China gained an unfair advantage over global trade. China rigged the game with state subsidies, currency manipulation, market-access barriers, and forced technology transfers. China abused our free enterprise and open markets. At the same time, they slammed the door on American businesses. This came at the expense of American jobs, innovation, and security.
“The risks of dependency are serious. Just this year, China banned exports of several critical minerals to the United States. These critical minerals are vital for
our technology and national defense.
“What’s next? Medical supplies? Today, 90 percent of U.S. antibiotics are stamped with ‘Made in China.’ We cannot forget the lessons learned during the COVID pandemic. We saw how dangerous it is to depend on Communist China for life-saving medicines and supplies. Every American agreed that the United States needed to work aggressively to bring these critical supply chains back home. The costs of inaction are real.
“Since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, more than 2 million American jobs vanished. These are jobs Republicans are working to bring back with our economic policies. China’s intellectual property theft alone costs America $600 billion annually. The Department of Justice links China to four out of five economic espionage cases.
“China is infiltrating our culture, our skies, and our farmland. They do this because they see us as weak. Today, China owns farmland in 27 states, often near military bases. My Wyoming colleague Senator Cynthia Lummis has legislation that would stop China from buying farmland next to federal lands. This would safeguard our national security.
“China’s role in the fentanyl crisis is equally alarming. A recent report from the House Select Committee on Communist China exposed the depth of the Chinese Communist Party’s involvement. 97 percent of illicit fentanyl ingredients come from China. The Chinese government subsidizes these ingredients and shields traffickers from prosecution. This crisis has killed more than 50,000 Americans last year. This is a direct result of China exporting illicit fentanyl. President Trump has rightly acted to stop this deadly flood of drugs into America. Ambassador Purdue will press China to end its fentanyl exports.
“Militarily, China’s rapid buildup is a growing menace. Their military spending has skyrocketed. Today, China has the world’s largest army. It has the world’s largest navy. It has the world’s second most advanced air force. China has quadrupled their intercontinental ballistic missiles from 100 to 400 missiles. China produces 70 percent of the world’s drones. China’s shipyards vastly outpace our shipbuilding ability. As the U.S. Secretary of the Navy put it, one Chinese shipyard ‘has more capacity than all of our shipyards combined.’
“China’s territorial grabs and provocative actions threaten global peace. China’s purchase of 90 percent of Iran’s oil sales fuels global terrorism. To counter China’s military aggression, America must undertake a massive military revival. We must ensure America’s strength is unmatched now and in the future.
“President Trump has long known that the Chinese Communist Party is the primary threat to peace, prosperity, and freedom in the world today. For too long, previous leaders let China get rich while America got ripped off. President Trump is changing everything. His bold actions and determination are turning the tide.
“In his first 100 days, President Trump created over 450,000 American jobs. His economic agenda is sparking an industrial revival. Hundreds of billions of dollars in new private investments are pouring in. Made in America is back and stronger than ever. 75 countries are lining up for trade talks with the United States. It is a testament to President Trump’s skills as a dealmaker. More will come.
“Republicans will continue to champion policies that secure our supply chains and bring manufacturing home. We will work to end America’s dependence on China for medicine, minerals, and manufacturing. This is not about isolation. It is about independence.
“President Trump is working every day to stop China from raiding our factories, gutting our industries, and stealing our jobs. Other leaders dealt with China from a position of weakness. President Trump is dealing with them from a position of strength.
“China must hear us loud and clear. Freedom is a powerful force. We will never give it away. We will not compromise our safety, our prosperity, or our liberty. We will never stop standing up for the American people.”
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