Pence’s Group Critiques Trump’s Approach to China

A policy organization established by former Vice President Mike Pence has raised concerns about President Trump’s handling of China-related issues, particularly regarding TikTok and tariffs. They argue that Trump’s current strategies could jeopardize his previous administration’s strong stance on China.

The Advancing American Freedom Foundation shared a memo that The Hill accessed on Tuesday. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a firm approach to China, as demonstrated during Trump’s first term.

“To effectively confront China, President Trump needs to revert to the strict policies of his initial administration, rather than yielding to Beijing’s influence,” the memo states.

The memo highlights areas where Pence’s group believes Trump is failing to adequately counter China’s growing power.

One point of criticism involves Trump’s administration’s approach to TikTok. The president has repeatedly extended deadlines for the app’s parent company to divest or face a possible ban in the U.S.

In the previous year, Congress enacted a law mandating the sale of TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, due to rising privacy and security concerns. If they do not comply, the app could be barred from American networks and app stores.

“By creating its own TikTok account, the White House seems to ridicule the rule of law and invites potential CCP surveillance,” the memo suggests.

Recently, Trump minimized security worries surrounding TikTok, calling them “over-exaggerated.” He expressed his support for the app, saying, “I’m a fan of TikTok. My kids enjoy it, and younger folks love it too.” He mentioned wanting to keep the app operating and acknowledged the security concerns.

Pence’s group also criticized a deal between Trump and Nvidia, which allows a 15% revenue share from selling AI chips to China. The memo claims this aligns with Beijing’s tactics of acquiring foreign trade secrets through coercion or theft, undermining foreign competition.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick remarked that the administration is only supplying China with “fourth-best” chips. In response, Trump stated he “brokered the arrangement” as a benefit for the U.S.

The memo also critiques Trump’s tariff strategy, asserting that reliance on Chinese goods is overwhelming and that there isn’t enough time to adjust supply chains in response to tariffs.

Trump has implemented significant tariffs on numerous trade partners, including major economies like Japan, South Korea, and the EU, as well as on specific goods like steel and automobiles.

Pence, along with some Republicans, Democrats, and economists, cautions that these tariffs may increase prices and disproportionately impact small businesses unable to find alternatives.

Defending his approach, Trump argues that tariffs have been mischaracterized and that they are essential for U.S. revenue. He reiterated that income from tariffs has historically been a significant source of revenue, despite detractors labeling this as a tax on consumers.

Broadly, Trump has claimed to maintain a positive rapport with Chinese President Xi Jinping, expressing his hope for mutual prosperity. He indicated plans to visit China later this year or soon thereafter.