United States want to have with her China “constructive and fair” trade relations without compromising national security issues, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said today in a speech at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

“We are committed to a healthy economic relationship with China: one that promotes growth and innovation, respects international rules, and benefits the United States and the world,” Secretary of State Joe Biden said, according to excerpts from her speech that were made public in advance.

However, she assures that the United States “will not compromise” when it comes to national security issues, “even when it means compromising our economic interests.”

“Collision Danger”

Last month, Beijing accused Washington of fueling tensions between the two powers and warned of the risk of a “clash”.

The US and China are battling to produce semiconductors, the electronic components needed to power smart cell phones, connected vehicles and even military equipment. In the name of national security, Washington has tightened sanctions against Chinese semiconductor manufacturers in recent months.

“These national security measures are not intended to allow us to gain some sort of competitive economic advantage or to stifle China’s economic and technological modernization. While this policy may have economic repercussions, it is made out of simple national security considerations,” Yellen further assures.

“Mammoth” penalty on Huawei

Thus, yesterday, Wednesday, a historic fine of $300 million was imposed on the supplier of the giant Chinese company Huawei, which is being prosecuted by Washington on cybersecurity grounds and suspicions of espionage.

In addition, “we will continue to work with our allies to respond to China’s unscrupulous economic practices,” warns Secretary Joe Biden.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent statements have raised questions from France’s allies, including the US.

Macron, on his return from China, urged Europeans not to become “followers” of Beijing or Washington on the issue of Taiwan, and to “depend less on the Americans” on the issue of defense, while some a few days later he spoke in favor of greater economic autonomy for Europe.

“Macron, who is a friend, licks China,” commented former President Donald Trump, who launched a trade war against China in 2019 while in the White House.

^{Source: APE-MEB, AFP.}