Barrasso Highlights American Strength Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting

"The American people want safety, prosperity, and freedom. America cannot be free if we are dependent on China for our medicine, our materials, and our minerals. America cannot continue to lead the free world if we allow China to steal our best ideas and newest technology. America must stand firm."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today spoke ahead of President Donald J. Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping about how Republicans are focused on how American strength is needed to counter ongoing Chinese aggression.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso's remarks.

Sen. Barrasso's remarks:

"When it comes to foreign policy, the Republican Party follows a simple philosophy. It's called peace through strength. Yesterday at the United Nations, President Trump made clear that America continues to lead with peace through strength. The President of Communist China, Xi Jinping, will hear the same message later this week when he comes to Washington, D.C.

"Now I just heard the Minority Leader of the United States Senate come to the Floor and say something about the fact that he thought that President Trump was going to sell out our country to China. Let me set the record straight. President Xi last visited the White House 11 years ago. Today, he will arrive to a different America - and a different President.

"A decade ago, Barack Obama was the president. The Obama policy to China was appeasement, accommodation, and apologies. Obama's weakness gave China free rein. Free rein to undermine our economy and our national security.

"China spied on American businesses. China stole American technology. And China strengthened its grip on global supply chains. As Democrat climate alarmists forced the closure of our coal-fired power plants, China built new ones. They continue to build them today.

"From new technology to global supply chains, China's goal is to be the military, economic, and technological superpower of the world. China wants to push America aside. Their vision is not cooperation or even competition. It is about total control.

"The American people want safety, prosperity, and freedom. America cannot be free if we are dependent on China for our medicine, our materials, and our minerals. America cannot continue to lead the free world if we allow China to steal our best ideas and newest technology. America must stand firm. America must stand strong. America must say - Never Again.

"President Trump understands the stakes and the threats. He also understands that American strength is more important today than ever. That is why President Trump is acting decisively to protect American interests.

"Fair trade, historic tax cuts, and aggressive deregulation have made us stronger and more prosperous. Innovative American companies still give us the strategic edge. Republican tax cuts are putting more money into people's pockets. A secure border means less fentanyl poisoning American citizens. Investment is returning to American manufacturing in record amounts. America is producing more energy than ever before. We are also mining more critical minerals. Those minerals are critical for our homes, our factories, and our national defense.

"Under President Trump, America has checked China's ambitions North, South, East, and West. He has done so by holding China accountable. He has done so without apology.

"Just yesterday, President Trump signed a historic agreement regarding Greenland. This agreement prevents our adversaries - including Communist China - from building military bases in Greenland, or making critical investments there.

"The Trump administration has also hindered China from accessing cheap oil. No longer can China buy oil at a steep discount from dictatorships in Venezuela and Iran.

"Additionally, our late colleague Senator Lindsey Graham worked with the President to pass new penalties for importing energy from Russia or Iran. Those penalties are stiff and severe. As the largest buyer of Russian energy, China now faces those tough new penalties.

"The United States is systematically blocking the vast ambitions of the so-called Axis of Aggression: China, Russia, and Iran. This is the definition of peace through strength. Weakness invites. Strength deters.

"Republicans will continue to show unmatched strength in defense of American safety. President Trump will do the same this week when he meets with President Xi.

"And so I say to my colleague from New York, the Minority Leader, that's the straight record. That's setting the record straight about what things were like in a Democrat administration, and what things are like with President Trump in the White House."

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