Rick Scott Questions China Ambassador Nominee on Xi Jinping's Intentions and Fentanyl

Questioning China's Intentions

• 🎯 Senator Rick Scott directly asked David Perdue, the nominee for Ambassador to China, if he believed Xi Jinping would change his behavior.
• ❓ Perdue indicated that based on China's writings and objectives over the past 25 years, he does not believe Xi is going to change.

China's Economic Vulnerabilities

• 📈 Perdue highlighted China's significant import reliance for food (30%) and oil (73%).
• ⚠️ He also pointed to high unemployment among people under 25 (over 16%) and issues with state-owned enterprises as economic challenges.
• 💡 The nominee suggested that a realization of US capital no longer flowing to China could significantly impact their economy.

Fentanyl and Unrestricted Warfare

• 💔 Scott criticized the Communist Party of China for sending fentanyl into the United States, which he stated killed 78,000 people last year.
• ⚔️ Perdue referenced the concept of "Unrestricted Warfare" from a 1999 book, suggesting China is executing a strategy beyond traditional cold or kinetic wars.
• 🇺🇸 He urged the United States to become informed about this challenge and stand up to it, even if it requires sacrifice.

Economic Leverage and US Policy

• 🚫 Perdue stated that the days of turning a blind eye to China's violations of trade rules and WTO compliance are over.
• 🛒 He questioned whether American citizens should buy Chinese products or use Chinese apps, suggesting that stopping the purchase of Chinese goods could collapse their economy.
• ⚖️ The nominee emphasized the need for the US to stop allowing China access to its market without complying with SEC rules, noting that a relevant US law is not currently being enforced.
• 🤝 Perdue believes that if the US stops buying Chinese products and foreign capital stops flowing into China, China would have a real problem and would be forced to change.