The Chinese Communist Group (CCG) is a subject of contention in the Biden administration, with Senator Marsha Blackburn recently questioning why the U.S. Department of Commerce lifted economic restrictions on the group in February.
The CCG is an association of 68 Chinese companies, and its members are involved in the production and distribution of military-grade technology. The Chinese government began pressuring the Biden administration to lift sanctions on the CCG shortly after Biden took office in January 2021, although the administration did not respond until February.
The rationale behind the move was that the CCG had pledged to prioritize civilian production activities and restrict its production of military-grade technology. However, Blackburn has accused the Biden administration of capitulating to China and endangering American national security for its own political convenience.
“This decision could be seen as a reward for the Chinese Communist Party’s pattern of human rights abuses and unchecked growth of dangerous military technology,” Blackburn said in a statement.
She went on to urge the Biden administration to reconsider its decision and to prioritize the security of American citizens, rather than appeasing China for political crouchwork.
“The Biden Administration must recognize the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party and reject its aggressive tactics,” she said.
Senator Blackburn is not the only one questioning the decision. For months before the sanctions were lifted, U.S. companies have expressed concerns about the potential damage of bolstering Chinese companies that produce and distribute military-grade technology.
This tension between pro-national security advocates and those who support the normalization of trade relations with China is likely to continue in the coming months, especially given the CCG’s ongoing commitment to developing more sophisticated military-grade technology. It remains to be seen how the Biden administration balances its interests in promoting global trade and protecting national security against the increasing danger posed by Chinese military technology.