Loeffler: Administration Should Hold China Accountable in Next Round of Trade Negotiations
Says China Must ‘Pay the Price’ for Its Role in Bringing Coronavirus to Our Shores
ATLANTA, GA — U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) today urged President Trump to hold China accountable in the next round of trade negotiations to address China’s massive cover-up of the novel coronavirus and its role in enabling its spread.
In a letter to President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro, Loeffler said: “In January, Mr. President, you negotiated a historic trade deal with China that was a huge win for American farmers and consumers. Since then, it has become clear that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been negligent in the spread of COVID-19. What’s worse —they appear to be behind one of the deadliest cover-ups in human history.
“I am urging you to push the Chinese government for significant concessions in the ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations. We need to ensure that the CCP is held accountable for the economic and societal hardship our country has suffered from the Coronavirus. You have been adamant, Mr. President, about stopping the CCP from taking advantage of the U.S. and ending its antagonism to fair trade. It’s time to end our dependency on China. Now, more than ever, a fair trade deal is essential for farmers, businesses and consumers in Georgia and across our nation.
“Any future agreement should aim to shift supply chains back to the United States, end American dependence on Chinese pharmaceuticals by incentivizing domestic production, ban wet market exports from China, and increase oversight of Chinese biological laboratories that benefit from taxpayer funding. I have complete faith that under your continued leadership, Mr. President, America’s next trade deal with China will ensure accountability and transparency, while keeping our nation safe and prosperous.”
The full text of Loeffler’s letter is available here.