Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, reacts during a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
U.S. Republicans Criticize Vice Presidential Candidate Tim Walz Over Ties to China
Background and Criticism
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign, has become a focal point of criticism from U.S. Republicans and commentators in China. Walz’s extensive history with China, a country regarded by many in Washington as a significant economic and military competitor, has drawn scrutiny.
Republican Reactions
The criticisms emerged following Harris’s announcement on Tuesday that Walz would be her vice-presidential pick. Among the critics was Richard Grenell, former Ambassador to Germany and acting Director of National Intelligence under President Trump. Grenell expressed on social media platform X that “Communist China is very happy with @GovTimWalz as Kamala’s VP pick.”
Campaign’s Response
The Harris-Walz campaign responded to these attacks by highlighting Walz’s consistent stance against Beijing’s human rights violations. Campaign spokesperson James Singer emphasized that Republicans were distorting facts, pointing out Walz’s history of advocating for human rights and democracy while prioritizing American jobs and manufacturing.
Walz’s History with China
Walz’s engagement with China began in 1989, the year of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, when he traveled to China to teach English and U.S. history as a recent college graduate. Since then, he has visited China over 30 times, started a company organizing educational trips to China, and has some proficiency in Chinese. He chose June 4, the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, as his wedding date to ensure he would never forget the event.
Bipartisan Stance on China
The American political landscape has seen a significant shift since the 1980s and 1990s, with a strong bipartisan consensus on the necessity of a firm stance toward China. Although Walz has expressed a desire for a non-adversarial U.S.-China relationship, his legislative record in the House of Representatives includes support for bills critical of China’s human rights practices. He was also a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which focuses on human rights issues.
Perspectives on Walz’s Experience
Dean Cheng, a non-resident senior fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, downplayed the significance of Walz’s early travels to China, noting the evolution of U.S. perceptions of China. Cheng highlighted Walz’s more recent statements advocating for cooperation with China, questioning the feasibility of such cooperation given current geopolitical tensions.
Conversely, some experts view Walz’s experience as beneficial. Jeff Moon, a trade consultant and former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for China, noted that Walz’s comprehensive understanding of China could offer valuable insights to President Harris and her foreign policy team.
Chinese Commentary
In China, reactions on the social media platform Weibo suggested skepticism about the impact of Walz’s history on U.S.-China relations. One commentator remarked that individual intentions are subordinate to national interests, regardless of personal pro-China or anti-China sentiments.
Broader Political Context
The selection of Walz as vice-presidential candidate is a significant political decision for Harris, invigorating her campaign after President Joe Biden’s announcement not to seek reelection. Former President Donald Trump, who initiated a trade war with China during his term, has indicated plans to impose steep tariffs on Chinese goods if elected. His running mate, Senator JD Vance, has labeled China as the foremost threat to the United States.
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