-wants to outcompete China
benefit American workers and provide a much-needed alternative to countries that might otherwise orient their economies toward China. An energy boom in Guyana can help American workers while also benefiting the people of Guyana and their economy.”
Smith told Fox News yesterday that his congressional delegation helped present the US here as a “much-needed alternative” to China.
Guyana signed on to China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2018 and this initiative has been a major concern for Washington.
Prior to visiting Guyana, Smith had also expressed concern about Beijing in his Committee’s trip to Ecuador.
A press release from that meeting said that during a bipartisan meeting with Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso and key members of his cabinet, Smith reiterated the need to increase U.S. engagement in Ecuador to help counter China’s growing influence in the region.
He made the following statement after the delegation’s bilateral meeting with President Guillermo Lasso, Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Holguin, and Minister of Production Julio Jose Prado LucioParedes:
“We had a productive exchange with President
Lasso today about our two countries’ strong and growing relationship. As Ways and Means Chairman, one of my priorities is using America’s trade and tax policy to secure our supply chains and counter China’s growing presence in the developing world, especially in the Western Hemisphere. I made sure to visit Ecuador on my first international trip as Ways and Means Committee Chairman because the U.S.-Ecuador relationship is a high priority.
“Today, we emphasized
the importance of our country’s ties with Ecuador and how both countries can become less dependent on China by developing resi-lient supply chains in the Western Hemisphere. We must use every tool at our disposal, including trade, to counter China’s influence in Latin America, and I shared my concerns with President Lasso about Ecuador’s expanding trade ties with China. Additionally, Ecuador’s import licensing regime and variable tariffs make it very difficult for American farmers, including beef and pork producers, to export to Ecuador. There are opportunities to strengthen our relationship with Ecuador for the benefit of American workers, farmers, small businesses, and our national security. The Biden Administration should seize opportunities to engage with Ecuador and other willing partners in the Americas and around the world to roll back Chinese influence”, he said.
With the Republicans now in control of the US House, sharp diversions have been signalled from the positions of the Biden Administration.
The House Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest committee of the United States Congress and is the chief tax-writing committee in the House of
Representatives, the statement said. Since 1795, the committee has exercised jurisdiction over revenue and related issues such as tariffs, international trade policy, and the bonded debt of the United States, the US Embassy said.