Lawmakers Criticize China Visit Despite Trump's Warm Welcome
Capitol Hill voices from both parties express strong disapproval of President Xi Jinping's state visit, citing concerns over China's actions globally.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington is encountering significant opposition on Capitol Hill, a stark contrast to the reception he received at the White House.
Lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic parties have used the occasion to denounce China's global actions. Tensions have been heightened by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with U.S. officials accusing China of supporting Iran's economy and military, thereby endangering American service members.
Members of Congress have voiced their criticisms through speeches, letters, press conferences, and hearings. These actions stand in opposition to the warm welcome extended to Xi by President Trump upon his arrival.
Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed his reservations on the Senate floor, suggesting that Xi should not have been invited for such a lavish welcome. Wicker highlighted several issues, including China's alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea and the ongoing tensions surrounding Taiwan. He urged President Trump to address these matters directly with Xi, emphasizing that his guest is an "oppressive dictator who seeks to dominate his neighbors and whose massive military arsenal is aimed directly at the United States of America."
Ahead of Xi's visit, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party released a video detailing Xi's rise to power and labeling him "the biggest opponent of freedom and liberty in the world." The committee, established in 2023, has held hearings on human rights in China and advocates for legislation addressing economic and military issues. For instance, committee chairman Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., introduced a bill to prohibit the sale of Chinese cars in the U.S.
Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell, are pressing the Trump administration to expedite aid and arms sales to Taiwan. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, they emphasized the importance of deterring an invasion of Taiwan and noted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's past statements about supporting allies. The senators argued that hindering arms sales to Taiwan undermines U.S. influence and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region, especially as China has pressed for a halt to such sales.
Meanwhile, Democratic senators, led by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, have warned against weakening export controls for advanced semiconductor chips. They expressed concern that such exports could jeopardize the U.S. lead in artificial intelligence over China and called for greater regulation of AI, contrasting this with the administration's approach. Schumer stated, "We can and must both maintain our lead on AI by restricting China’s access to our technology and put up guardrails to mitigate AI’s risk."
Democratic senators also urged President Trump to directly confront Xi regarding China's support for Iran, arguing that cutting off this support is crucial to ending the conflict in the Middle East. Senator Jeanne Shaheen highlighted that China's assistance enables Iran to continue its military actions.