WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today gave the following opening remarks at a full committee nominations hearing. Witnesses included Mr. David Perdue to be ambassador to China, and Ms. Monica Crowley to be Chief of Protocol.
Chairman Risch gave the following remarks:
“Today, we’ll consider two more of President Trump’s nominees, Ms. Monica Crowley to be the State Department’s Chief of Protocol, and Mr. David Perdue to be the ambassador to China.
“Senator Perdue, I might say this about all the nominees, but you’ve truly got a big job ahead of you. China is our biggest challenge over the rest of this century, we all know they challenge us in many ways. President Trump and I agree that China is America’s greatest long-term competitor to put it as kindly as I possibly can in this moment. But, as you know, the previous administration treated China like an ally who we disagreed with rather than an authoritarian aggressor that takes advantage of America and our allies at every level.
“The Chinese government is fundamentally different than that of the United States. Where America promotes free markets and innovation, China clamps down on business, steals IP, and dumps its products, distorting American markets. Where America believes that every person was created equal and has God-given, unalienable rights, the Chinese government is committing genocide against Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in China and harasses people in the United States living on American soil who disagree with the Chinese Communist Party. And where America believes in protecting a free and open Indo-Pacific, the Chinese government coerces its neighbors and pursues the opposite.
“China isn’t acting alone here, but rather it is building an authoritarian alliance with Russia, Iran, and North Korea to undercut the United States. And through its Belt and Road initiative, China looks to recruit nontraditional allies around the world, luring them in with predatory investments to draw them farther away from America.
“In this administration and in his first term, President Trump demonstrated that he will be tough on China—and he’ll do the work to get results. I look forward to hearing about how you will execute on this vision and address the myriad economic, military, technological, and ideological threats that China poses to the United Sates of America. Particularly, I hope to hear how you will compel the Chinese government to address the flow of fentanyl into the United States and stop China from financially propping up the companies that produce it.
“I know that with President Trump at the helm, the days of endless dialogue to no effect are over. I hope you make it clear to your Chinese counterparts that they won’t be able to sweet talk their way out of making real change any longer.
“Ms. Crowley, at this turbulent time in foreign policy, you will be at the center of many of the important conversations, difficult negotiations, and happy celebrations that will mark this administration.
“As Chief of Protocol, you’ll be charged with creating an environment that is conducive for working with our allies and countering our adversaries, all to advance President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s foreign policy. I look forward to hearing how you will work to foster cooperation that advances American interests.
“I appreciate you both for being here today and I appreciate your willingness to serve under what will be difficult circumstances going forward. With that, I’ll now turn it over to our distinguished ranking member, Senator Shaheen.”
These remarks have been lightly edited for clarity. Witness testimony is available on foreign.senate.gov.
###