Congress investigates China
“Decoding the detente” (May 20th) suggested that Congress’s House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party needs some “serious debate” in its proceedings. But just because both Democrats and Republicans jointly condemn the Communist Party’s persecution of the Uyghurs does not mean there is groupthink on the panel. Indeed, the lack of political theatre points to how Washington should work.
The select committee is finding facts and engaging experts in order to build a bipartisan consensus around tough and thoughtful statecraft. In that process there is productive debate both within and between parties. For example, I do not agree with Washington’s fixation on industrial policy, in general, and bilateral trade deficits with China in particular.
The United States will outcompete China by doubling down on our strengths as a market democracy, not by aping China’s five-year plans at home and mercantilism abroad. We should pursue more trade deals, with the bipartisan support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement as a template to move forward. And we should invest in industry-agnostic basics: superb education, especially in mathematics, where American students have lost ground since covid; a world-leading research and development complex; and a top-tier business environment characterised by democracy, rule of law, quality infrastructure and stream-lined regulation.
As we used to say in the Marines, these initiatives are simple, but not easy.
Jake Auchincloss
Representative for the 4th congressional district in Massachusetts
Washington, DC
By: Congressman Jake Auchincloss
Source: The Economist