OPINION:
At a time when U.S.-Chinese relations are at a low point, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while recognizing inherent conflicts between the two countries, sought during a recent trip to mend fences to the extent possible.
His efforts were undermined, however, by President Biden subsequently referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a dictator (“Biden says calling China’s Xi a ‘dictator’ has not damaged relationship with Beijing,” web, June 22).
China has committed human rights atrocities and has many policies that are in conflict with freedom, but the fact is that we need China and China needs us.
If trade with China were to somehow immediately be suspended, our country would suffer inordinate harm and countless store shelves would be empty.
We also need China’s assistance in our efforts to stem terrorism, and the Chinese fund a large portion of our country’s expenditures through loans.
At such a delicate time in relations between the two countries, no purpose is served by attempting to inflame such an important nation.
OREN SPIEGLER
Peters Township, Pennsylvania
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