U.S. Commerce Secretary Visits China In Attempt To Renew U.S.-China Tech Agreement

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo visited China in an attempt to renew a technology agreement with the East Asian country. Further reports say the main focus was expected to be the prevailing tech agreement that is set to expire.

On August 26, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, 52, was scheduled to visit China to renew the China-U.S. Science and Technology Agreement that is set to expire. Further reports say the U.S. Commerce Secretary was expected to meet senior Chinese government officials during her four-day visit to Asia.

An article in The New York Times states that the China-U.S. agreement was first signed in 1979 by former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. In history, the agreement is being renewed every 5 years and serves as the protection for the scientific relationship between the governments of the U.S. and China. However, Republican members of Congress have recently opposed it, maintaining that China uses the agreement for military and defense.

READ ALSO: China’s Cotton Production Is Expected To Decline One Year After The US’ Xinjiang Embargo As Attention Turns To Food Security And Quality

U.S. Commerce Secretary’s Visit

According to Druker, the U.S. Commerce Secretary is the third member of U.S. President Joe Biden’s cabinet to visit China since the month of June. Reports say Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to China in June and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also visited the country in July.

Despite the official mandate to the U.S. Commerce Secretary to improve the trade and tourism between both countries, it was expected that the issues with Chinese officials including Commerce Minister Wang Wenta were also discussed. In addition, it was also anticipated that China’s anti-espionage laws, data security, and restrictions on the import of microchips produced in Idaho were among the most pressing topics to have been talked about.

READ ALSO: US Imposes Visa Restrictions On China In Response To The ‘Forced Integration’ Of Tibetan Children