“China is not our enemy. We want to see China rise.”
Since Joe Biden unapologetically spoke these words, his “most-favored nation” has failed to contain a global pandemic, causing destruction and hardship across the world — the effects of which we are still seeing today.
For the many people who have lost their jobs, financial stability, or even their loved one’s lives at the hands of China’s malpractice, Joe Biden’s uninformed and ignorant rhetoric should rightly cause them to shudder. After all, the Democratic presidential nominee has time and time again gone out of his way to downplay China’s role in causing global hardships, in the end proving he was incorrect every way other than politically.
At nearly 78 years old and older than both of my parents, Biden‘s age may be a factor. But the larger issue is how many times he is wrong on foreign policy. Take it from former Obama Defense Secretary Bob Gates: Biden “has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades.”
As his handlers load up the basement Zoom feed so he may address the Democratic National Convention from 800 miles away this week, many have to wonder: Can anyone trust the self-described placeholder to confront and address China’s looming threat when he failed to do so during his political career across five decades?
While President Trump has made it a focal point to push for, and achieve, free and fair trade with China, Biden has spent his life advocating on the rogue nation’s behalf.
For decades, people have listened to Biden’s vague rhetoric, vowing to be tough on trade. However, he opposed applying tariffs on China and openly led the Obama administration’s efforts for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. These stances aren’t just politically misguided — they’re disastrous. The TPP alone would have nixed nearly half a million American jobs and wrecked our economy — all while allowing China to reap the benefits.
Thankfully, Trump replaced these empty promises with real action, including implementing necessary tariffs and withdrawing the United States from the TPP.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Biden’s lackadaisical foreign policy approach toward China.
Biden has long been in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. In fact, he has derailed and downplayed the president’s efforts at every turn. When the president cut off travel to China, what was Biden’s response? He described the ban as “hysterical xenophobia and fear-mongering.” While I would hardly refer to saving people from the spread of this dreadful virus in such a crude manner, Biden clearly has no limits when it comes to spreading false narratives, even when the public’s safety is at risk.
Trump, on the other hand, has made combating China’s ruthless and rogue actions a top priority of his first term in office.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has actively defended our nation from China’s blatant malfeasance and spying. Just last month, the administration closed the Chinese Houston consulate — or rather, the Chinese Houston Spy Center. According to U.S. State Department officials, the consulate was largely used to execute economic espionage operations and attempts to steal American scientific research.
Unfortunately, the Chinese Communist Party’s threats don’t stop there.
After previously blocking Chinese-owned companies such as Huawei, Trump has recently highlighted the national security concerns of a popular social media app, TikTok. To protect American interests and privacy, the president signed an executive order banning the digital company from operating in the U.S. Unless the Chinese company ByteDance sells its product, this powerful action will take effect.
While all of these critical and necessary actions have been taken by Trump, Biden is still out on the campaign trail vouching for China. This comes as the world is just beginning to learn of the mass human rights abuses by the Chinese toward religious minorities and pro-democracy activists.
Supporting democracy, freedom of speech, and religious liberty is paramount to the American way of life. Sadly, from the persecution of Christians and Muslim Uighurs to the treatment of Hong Kong protesters, China’s abuses continue apace, and Biden continues to turn a blind eye.
If the former vice president were to become president in January, this pattern would only grow worse, and China is fully aware of this reality. Even Nancy Pelosi herself affirmed that “China would prefer Joe Biden.” The media has even made clear that China and Iran want Biden to win. Biden’s 44 years in politics make it clear why.
Simply put, there’s too much on the line; American lives, jobs, and values are at stake. We must stand firm against China by condemning its reckless actions and demanding consequences. There’s only one candidate in this election who will fight for American interests, and he’s already in the White House.
Mark Walker represents North Carolina’s 6th District and is vice chair of the House Republican Conference.
