2024 Solutions Spotlight: China’s Threat Potential & Strengthening Economic and Strategic Partnerships

China has devised and is accelerating a highly sophisticated subnational strategy in the United States and has identified state and local governments as an American Achilles’ heel to undermine federal legislation to counter the PRC’s influence. As speakers from the Federalism and International Relations Task Force have observed, “Beijing is poised to subvert the subnational U.S. system, turning the country inside-out against itself.” It is long past time for state and local governments to protect their institutions against influence by rogue global actors including but not limited to China and to press the federal government to do its part on the national level.

While the federal government has mechanisms in place to protect national security (although these protections are not foolproof), the states are highly vulnerable to Chinese influence campaigns through the United Front and other entities; China’s acquisition of US rural lands; and the homeland security risks inherent in Chinese-manufactured technology.

• Model Policy
  • Act to Prohibit Confucius Institutes in Public Institutions of Higher Education
  • An Act to Prohibit State Contracts with Chinese Government-Owned or Affiliated Technology Manufacturers
  • State Infrastructure Protection Act
  • An Act to Facilitate the Disclosure of Foreign Grants or Gifts Received by State Agencies

STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

The United States is strongest when acting in concert with likeminded economic and strategic allies and measures to strengthen these bonds can take the form of establishing ties between individual states and overseas partners or a resolution encouraging the federal government to strengthen ties with a nation or region.

• Model Policy
  • Resolution to Affirm Support for Israel and to Condemn Hamas
  • Resolution Commending This State’s and the United States’ Cordial and Mutually Beneficial Relationship with the Nation of Israel
  • Resolution in Support of Deepening Euro-Atlantic Integration of the Republic of Moldova
  • Resolution Urging the United States to Invite Taiwan to Join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
  • Resolution to Prioritize Strengthening the US-Taiwan Partnership to Enhance Global Supply Chain Security and Resilience

For more policy ideas, check out our Essential Policy Solutions for 2024.