Mike Pence on China
TL;DR
Mike Pence views the Chinese Communist Party as the greatest strategic and economic challenge to the United States in the 21st century.
Key Points
He called for the U.S. to demand China be transparent about the origins of the coronavirus in a July 2021 address.
As Vice President, he stated in 2018 that the Chinese Communist Party's actions domestically and abroad are a greater threat than the former Soviet Union.
Pence advocates for linking access to the U.S. economy with China’s respect for fair play and the rule of law, including ending intellectual property theft.
Summary
Mike Pence has consistently articulated a hawkish and adversarial stance toward the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), viewing it as the preeminent strategic and economic threat to the United States in the 21st century. He asserts that the CCP aims to supplant the current global order with one in its own image, using political, economic, and military tools to advance its global influence. This position contrasts with a prior U.S. consensus based on the hope that economic engagement would lead to political liberalization, a hope Pence states has gone unfulfilled due to China's continued abuses.
His policy roadmap calls for concrete actions to confront this challenge, including demanding transparency on the coronavirus origins, decoupling critical industries, ending unfair trade practices like intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer, and significantly increasing U.S. military readiness. Furthermore, Pence strongly criticizes the CCP's domestic oppression, citing the surveillance state, persecution of religious groups like Uyghur Muslims and Christians, and interference in American politics and academia, signaling a sustained commitment to standing firm against Beijing's actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mike Pence considers the Chinese Communist Party the primary strategic and economic adversary to the United States in the 21st century. He advocates for a firm, clear-eyed approach that confronts China's malign behavior on trade, military aggression, and human rights abuses.
Pence generally maintains the core adversarial framework established during the Trump-Pence administration, continuing to voice strong criticism of the CCP. However, speaking as a private citizen in 2024, he expressed hope that a future tough approach could lead to negotiations for a better relationship, not just containment.
As Vice President, Mike Pence outlined policy recommendations including demanding transparency on the coronavirus origins, decoupling essential industries from China, and taking action against trade abuses. He also emphasized confronting the CCP's interference in American institutions and politics.
Sources5
Former Vice President Mike Pence Lays Out China Policy Roadmap for Biden White House
Mike Pence's 2024 China General Chamber of Commerce Speech
Remarks by Vice President Pence on the Administration's Policy Toward China
Who was Mike Pence really addressing in his speech on China?
Vice President Mike Pence warns China to stand down
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.