WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The U.S. needs to step up its game to compete with China’s actions on the global scale.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell told lawmakers, “We will have to invest substantial resources, build internal capacities in our government and with our institutions to contest everywhere.”
Campbell says if the U.S. can take a more active role diplomatically, more countries in Africa and Asia will welcome the U.S. over China.
“Our value proposition is strong military, technologically, education, everything,” Campbell said.
Many lawmakers agree, it’s important to add ambassadors to fill these international relation gaps.
“How high a priority is it for the United States Senate to confirm, particularly career ambassadors, where we have so many that are vacant today?” Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) asked.
“The place that really the Chinese are taking it to us is in international organizations. We have to be able to contest there,” Campbell said.
Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) is concerned about China still portraying itself as a developing nation when he says it clearly isn’t.
“How are we trying to deal with the hypocrisy?” Young asked.
“Reform certain issues in the multilateral development banks and the international financial institutions. We need more help along the road,” Campbell said.
Campbell noted that better relations with African countries might grant access to rare earth minerals, aiding U.S. technology and defense development.
