Biden’s Commerce Secretary to visit Beijing following email hacking by China.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s Visit to⁤ China

Commerce ⁢Secretary Gina Raimondo is set to ​embark on a significant journey ⁤to ⁤China next week. She will engage in meetings ‌with senior Chinese government‍ officials and U.S. business leaders, marking the latest in a recent series of high-level visits.

Last month, Raimondo demonstrated her determination ‌to proceed with⁤ the visit despite the reported Chinese‌ hacking of her ‌department’s emails.

U.S.-China Economic Relationship

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized that Raimondo’s mission is to convey that the United ⁤States is not seeking ‌to sever ties with China, but rather to safeguard‌ its national security. He added that the United ⁣States remains⁣ committed to⁢ sustaining a ⁢strong economic relationship with ‌China.

Prior to her trip, Raimondo met with Xie Feng, China’s ambassador‌ to⁤ the ⁣United States,⁢ on ⁢Tuesday.

Raimondo discussed various issues of importance to the United States​ and⁤ American businesses with Xie Feng. They explored challenges ‌faced by U.S. businesses, potential areas for cooperation, and‌ the U.S.-China commercial relationship, as stated by the Commerce Department.

Positive Developments

China welcomed‌ the U.S. Commerce Department’s decision to lift export control restrictions on 27 Chinese entities.‍ This move⁣ is seen as beneficial for normal trade between Chinese and U.S. firms. The removal of‌ these companies from the “Unverified List” allows⁣ them to ‌engage in exports without ‌license exceptions being revoked.

The Commerce Department⁣ highlighted​ that this action demonstrates ⁤the tangible benefits ⁢that companies receive when they or their host government cooperate in completing necessary checks.

Constructive Discussions‍ Ahead

Raimondo’s upcoming visit to Beijing and Shanghai from August 27-30 is anticipated to foster constructive ‌discussions. The Commerce​ Department ⁣expressed ⁤her eagerness to engage in meaningful dialogue during her‍ time in⁤ China.

China had previously expressed its⁤ welcome‍ for Raimondo’s visit.

Raising Concerns and Recent Developments

Raimondo has expressed her intention to ⁤address serious concerns regarding ⁤China’s targeting of U.S. tech companies and their⁢ lack of respect for intellectual ‌property. She also aims to explore avenues for enhanced ‌commerce.

This visit follows Treasury Secretary‌ Janet Yellen’s four-day trip to China last month, during which she held extensive meetings with senior officials in Beijing.

Notably, the U.S. and China recently agreed‍ to increase the number of passenger flights permitted between the two countries, signaling a rare instance of cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.

Challenges and ‍Prior Engagements

Raimondo was among the senior U.S. ⁤officials whose emails were hacked earlier this year by a group believed to be based in China. The source of cyber attacks is a complex⁤ matter, as‍ cautioned by China’s embassy in Washington.

In July, Raimondo stated that the Biden administration aims to carefully target U.S. controls on​ exports to ‌China.

In May, Raimondo engaged in discussions with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, covering trade, investment, and export policies. This marked the first​ cabinet-level exchange between the U.S. and China in months, following a series of trade and national security‍ disputes ⁣that disrupted plans ⁢for re-engagement.

Some Republican senators ⁣have urged Raimondo to consider adding Chinese​ cloud companies to the entity list, which imposes‌ U.S. export controls on foreign companies.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Marguerita Choy, and⁢ Bill Berkrot)