Gina Raimondo’s “reality check” in China is viewed as clearing the way for a meeting between Xi and Biden as tensions remain

The commerce secretary will stop in Shanghai instead of the other three senior US officials who are traveling to China this summer as she does an economic assessment and works to strengthen business ties.

According to Chinese commentators, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s trip to China will prepare the ground for high-level leadership meetings and act as a “reality check” on American industry in China’s faltering economy. (Photo: Bloomberg)

Washington’s concerns about Beijing’s lack of data transparency

SCMP reported that Gina Raimondo’s trip takes place at a time when American businesses may be more tempted to pull out of China due to political and economic concerns.

Raimondo intends to express Washington’s concerns about Beijing’s lack of data transparency during his visit to Beijing and Shanghai.

Latest trip by a senior US official increases likelihood of Xi Jinping and Joe Biden meeting this year.

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Her trip to China will prepare the ground for high-level leadership meetings

According to Chinese commentators, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s trip to China will prepare the ground for high-level leadership meetings and act as a “reality check” on American industry in China’s faltering economy.

As the most recent US official to travel to China since June, Raimondo’s trip, which will last from Sunday through Wednesday, is an indication that previously postponed high-level meetings between the two largest economies are now happening despite rising geopolitical tensions, reports from Bloomberg.

Geopolitical experts also view her visit as a further step toward the November summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders that will take place in San Francisco and feature a meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden.

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