U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to Confront China on Tech Hacking and Intellectual Property Rights During Upcoming Visit

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo is scheduled for a visit to China from August 27 to 30, according to announcements made by both countries. While the Chinese side mentioned that Raimondo's visit was at the invitation of Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, the U.S. side did not provide such details.

Raimondo is expected to meet with senior Chinese officials and U.S. business leaders to discuss various issues surrounding the U.S.-China commercial relationship, challenges faced by U.S. businesses, and potential areas of cooperation.

This visit follows recent trips made by other U.S. government officials to China, including CIA Director Bill Burns, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen, and Special Envoy on Climate John Kerry.

According to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, these visits do not aim to change China or the United States but rather to establish a stable foundation in the relationship as the two countries compete in various domains.

The relationship between the world's two largest economies is described as complex and competitive by Sullivan, who emphasizes that the Biden administration will continue to engage in intense diplomacy. The U.S. focus is on protecting national security, ensuring resilient supply chains, and maintaining a stable economic relationship with China, as long as China follows the rules and operates responsibly in the global economy.

Gina Raimondo's upcoming trip to China comes after her department's emails were reportedly hacked by a group based in China. Nevertheless, she remains committed to the visit and aims to address serious concerns about China's targeting of U.S. tech companies and its disregard for intellectual property rights.

The visit also builds upon an agreement made between the U.S. and China to deepen communication on various issues. U.S.-China relations have recently experienced significant challenges, with trade, human rights, and Taiwan among the key points of contention.

The U.S. has implemented trade restrictions it believes are crucial for national security, while China sees them as hindrances to its economic growth. President Biden issued an executive order to restrict certain American investments in sensitive high-tech areas in China, which Beijing criticized as anti-globalization.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China earlier this year yielded some progress in addressing contentious issues, but major breakthroughs were not achieved. President Biden still expects to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this year, inviting him to a summit in San Francisco and potentially meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 major economies summit next month in New Delhi. The emphasis remains on steady and open communication to improve U.S.-China relations and address common challenges like climate change.