Chinese embassy: US trade mission ‘a form of economic bullying’

China on Thursday slammed the latest trade mission sent by US President Joe Biden to the Philippines, likening it to a form of economic bullying “against China’s technological development.”

The Chinese embassy in Manila said the US trade mission led by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo touched on national security issues and sounded “clarion calls for ganging up” against Beijing instead of focusing on economic cooperation with the Philippines.

“Many sober-headed Philippine individuals are questioning: Are the Americans really here to help the Philippines advance development?” the embassy said in a statement.

The Chinese embassy statement came after the US delegation said Washington is constantly assessing the need to expand export controls to stop China from acquiring advanced computer chips and manufacturing equipment.

The embassy said the US’ imposition of restrictions on semiconductors export “goes against market principles, disrupts normal trade order, and interrupts the international production and supply chain.”

It said the American action was “a clear case of economic bullying.”

“Such US restrictions on exports to China are under the pretext of ‘national security.’ However, these measures go far beyond their excuse and gravely hinder the normal trade of ordinary chips for civilian use,” the embassy said.

It called on the US government to cease “the wrong practice of politicizing, instrumentalizing, and weaponizing economic, trade, and sci-tech issues.”

Raimondo, during the two-day visit of the trade delegation, announced that American firms are set to invest over $1 billion (P56 billion) in Philippine priority sectors.

“We estimate that these announcements will create training and career opportunities for about 30 million Filipinos,” Raimondo said.

“The areas where we are focused align perfectly with President Marcos’ vision, about his interest in higher paying jobs in telecommunications, digitalization, helping small and medium-sized companies to digitize. That’s a strong theme of investments that these companies hope to make.”

She said that US companies are eager to do business in the Philippines not only because of cultural ties or shared democratic values but alsobecause of flourishing economic and commercial bilateral relationships.

Tech providers Microsoft and Google, which have sent representativesto the trade mission, expressed commitment to upskill Filipinos for offshore digital jobs.

Microsoft said it will train 100,000 Filipino women on artificial intelligence technology and cybersecurity.

Microsoft’s AI tools, including ones powered by OpenAI’s large language models, will help Filipinos gain workplace skills and be able to recognize cybersecurity threats.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.