US Won’t Tolerate Beijing’s Economic Coercion
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has stated that the Biden administration will not tolerate China’s effective ban on the sale of Micron memory chips. Despite recent efforts to ease tensions between the two nations, Raimondo emphasized that the US sees China’s actions as economic coercion and believes they will not succeed.
Raimondo made these remarks during a news conference following a meeting with trade ministers as part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework negotiations. She reiterated the US position that there is insufficient evidence to support Beijing’s claims of national security concerns regarding Micron. The Commerce Secretary stated that the US is working closely with partner nations to address this issue and other challenges related to China’s non-market practices.
China’s Cyberspace Administration recently ruled that Micron posed a threat to the country’s national security, urging operators of critical information infrastructure to refrain from purchasing Micron products. This move has already prompted calls for retaliation from the US, including the potential addition of Chinese memory maker Changxin Memory Technologies to a trade blacklist.
Secretary Raimondo’s remarks reflect concerns over China’s economic coercion tactics, which she previously addressed in a speech. She emphasized the need for innovative solutions to counter China’s practices and protect US businesses, workers, and their allies.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and China in the technology sector. As both countries engage in trade disputes and pursue diplomatic efforts, the future of Micron’s presence in the Chinese market remains uncertain.
