House China Committee Chair Defends Harsh Approach: ‘Certain Things Require a Machete’

House Select Committee on China Chair Mike Gallagher, R-WI., is defending his committee’s approach to Beijing that has come under fire by China experts. 

POLITICO reported that the chairman said in an interview, there are “certain things that require a machete ... and then there are things that require a scalpel.” 

He added that the U.S. “must use both in order to successfully prevent a war with China in the near term, prevent China from controlling the commanding heights of critical technology in the midterm and win this new Cold War over the long term.” 

Gallagher says that China’s normal trade status shouldn’t be respected, noting that “the right sort of revocation” could be the option “to force China to abide by its WTO commitments.” 

He acknowledged that there are members on both sides of the aisle who are “uncomfortable” with that option but does not think it will be the thing to prevent finding a compromise. 

He noted the committee’s recommendations so far can create “a very bipartisan product” with regard to legislation in the new year. 

Gallagher said the committee wants to turn a year of hearings and proposals into legislation, saying he is aiming for “a big China bill” in 2024. He hopes the bill will include all the recommendations and “actually get a vote on the House floor.” But it is unclear what he will get an agreement on. 

Since its creation a year ago, the committee has proposed 150 policy recommendations this month that would radically redo the U.S.’ economic and trade relationship with China.

The committee’s aggressive approach has caused some experts on the Asian country to warn it harms the Biden Administration’s efforts to stabilize the overall relationship between the two countries.