Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — U.S.-China Working Group Co-chairs U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (IL-10), along with their colleagues U.S. Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53) and U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (NY-02), today announced the bipartisan U.S.-China Competitiveness Agenda, four bills to invest in America’s economic future, help small and medium-sized businesses succeed in the growing Chinese market, expand U.S.-China energy cooperation, grow our diplomatic infrastructure in China and boost Chinese language programs in the United States.

“In Washington state, trade means jobs: one-third of all jobs in Washington state depend on trade, and China is the top foreign market for Washington state products,” said Larsen, co-chair of the U.S.-China Working Group. “The U.S.-China Market Engagement and Export Promotion Act will help give American small and medium-sized businesses the tools they need to tap into the China market and create good-paying jobs here at home.”

China is the second-largest economy in the world when measured by domestic purchasing power parity, and China's booming economy presents a growing export opportunity for U.S. small and medium-sized businesses. Since 2000, U.S. exports to China have shot up by more than 300 percent. The next-largest increase in U.S. exports was to Germany, far behind at 70 percent. Yet in spite of this growth, U.S. small businesses continue to face obstacles understanding and navigating the Chinese market. Financial roadblocks, conflicting information, intellectual property rights issues and cultural differences create barriers for American companies.

“To strengthen our economy, enhance American competitiveness and create new, high-paying jobs in the United States, we must expand our diplomatic and economic footprint in China,” said Kirk, co-chair of the U.S.-China Working Group.  “By deploying more Chinese-speaking diplomats and commercial officers to cities with more than five million people, we can create new opportunities for U.S. exporters and speed up our economic recovery.”

“It is little news to anyone that China is on the rise,” said Davis.  “With a population of over 1.3 billion people and the second largest economy in the world when measured by domestic purchasing power parity, China is poised to become a world power, economically, diplomatically, and militarily.  Yet at a time when China’s influence on the world stage is increasing, our national understanding of the “Middle Kingdom” has not kept pace.”

“AmCham-China fully endorses the legislation announced today. We want to thank Congressman Larsen, Congressman Kirk, Congresswoman Davis and Congressman Isreal for their vision and leadership in putting forward an affirmative agenda that addresses our imbalances in the trade relationship by playing great offense,” said John Watkins, Chairman of AmCham-China. “We believe these bills are good for American business and the US economy.  These bills will help Americans and American companies win more in China and, thus, create new and sustain existing jobs in the U.S.” 

“At a time when our country so needs to increase exports, we appreciate Congressman Larsen’s outstanding leadership on this issue,” said Don Wick, Executive Director of the Economic Development Association of Skagit County. “The Northwest’s future is so closely linked to trade with Asia.  This Act will open up opportunities for small-to-medium sized businesses in the Northwest to do business in China.  Small businesses in the Northwest are in such a unique position to take advantage of the assistance this program would provide.  What an excellent opportunity this presents to Skagit county businesses.”


H.R. 2310: The U.S. - China Market Engagement and Export Promotion Act (authored by Rep. Rick Larsen):

• Helps states establish and operate offices in China to promote exports.
• Creates a program establishing China Market Advocate Positions in US Export Assistance Centers around the country.
• Provides assistance to small businesses for trade missions to China.
• Authorizes Small Business Administration (SBA) grants for Chinese business education programs.
  

H.R. 2311: The U.S.-China Diplomatic Expansion Act (authored by Rep. Mark Kirk):

• Increases funding for public diplomacy with an emphasis on Internet communications
• Provides funds to build another consulate and establish 10 American presence posts
• Increases funding for State Department student exchange programs
• Increases funding for State Department teacher exchange programs
• Increases funding for Rule of Law Initiatives
• Increases funding for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
  

H.R. 2312: The U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Act (authored by Rep. Steve Israel):

• Authorizes a grant program to encourage joint American-Chinese research and development and policy education.
• Grants will fund joint energy and climate change policy education programs and/or joint research, development, or commercialization of carbon capture and sequestration technology, improved energy efficiency, or renewable energy sources.
• Entities eligible for grant funding are joint ventures comprised of both Chinese and American private business entities, joint ventures comprised of both Chinese and American academics or joint ventures comprised of Chinese and American Federal, State, or local governments.
  

H.R. 2313: The U.S.-Chinese Language Engagement Act (authored by Rep. Susan Davis):

• Increases Chinese cultural studies and language acquisition for American students through Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
• Supports collaborative efforts between LEAs and institutions of higher education and exchanges with academic institutions in China.
• Develops programs that include intensive summer Chinese language instruction, connecting Chinese and English Speakers and cultural studies.
  

U.S. Working Group Co-Chairs Kirk and Larsen will visit China this month to explore ways that American businesses can tap the rapidly-growing China market to create jobs here at home, and to identify opportunities for bilateral cooperation to address the global economic crisis.

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