She said she needs to play a role in both of these matters. US Secretary of Commerce Raymond was revealed to be planning a visit to China in August | Raymond | US Secretary of Commerce

According to Bloomberg, insiders have revealed that US Commerce Secretary Gina Raymond plans to visit China in late August. This is part of the Biden administration's efforts to ease tensions between the two major economies.

External analysis suggests that if Raymond's visit is successful, it will be the fourth senior Biden administration official to visit China in the near future, demonstrating the momentum of high-level exchanges between China and the United States, which is conducive to economic and trade exchanges between the two countries. However, based on Raymond's previous comments, it is expected that she will exert efforts in promoting trade with China and curbing technology in China.

Repeatedly expressing willingness to visit China

Bloomberg cited anonymous sources who revealed that Raymond plans to travel to Beijing during the week of August 21st. However, the specific date has not been finalized and may be subject to adjustment.

Regarding the visit of the Minister of Commerce to China, this is not the first time the US has let the wind down.

Since earlier this year, including Raymond himself, he has expressed his willingness to visit China multiple times.

In March, Raymond expressed her intention to visit China in an interview with Bloomberg.

In April, John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, blew a whistle saying that the United States is in communication with China regarding the possible visits of Treasury Secretary Yellen and Commerce Secretary Raymond to China.

Last month, Raymond stated in an interview with Consumer News and Business Channel that she plans to visit China later this year.

Last week, at an event held at the Wilson Center in Washington, Raymond mentioned plans to visit China later this summer, but is still finalizing the date and itinerary.

In response to the visit of US Secretary of Commerce Raymond to China, China has repeatedly provided positive responses, clearly expressing an open and welcoming attitude.

On the 13th of last month, when asked about Raymond's upcoming visit to China, Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Shu Jueting responded that China is open and welcoming to Raymond's visit to China and is maintaining communication with the United States on this matter. China will continue to be committed to resolving mutual concerns in the economic and trade field through dialogue and communication, and promoting constructive and pragmatic cooperation.

If successful, this will be Raymond's first visit to China during his tenure, and the fourth senior official of the Biden administration to visit China since June. Previously, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Yellen and President's Special Envoy for Climate Change Kerry visited China successively.

Bloomberg stated that this is one of the efforts made by the US government to ease tensions with China. Although several senior US officials have achieved visits to China, the two sides have not achieved significant results except for agreeing to further dialogue.

Earlier, when discussing his visit to China, Raymond said that the Biden administration hopes to engage with China in areas such as commerce and diplomacy that are beneficial to the United States, with the aim of easing rather than escalating the situation.

Analysts point out that if Raymond visits China, it will mean a positive momentum for the development of high-level exchanges between China and the United States. This is not only beneficial for official exchanges, but also for economic and trade exchanges between the two countries.

In May of this year, during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Trade Ministers Meeting, the Commerce Ministers of China and the United States held a face-to-face meeting in Washington. Both parties agree to establish communication channels and maintain and strengthen exchanges on specific economic and trade concerns and cooperation matters.

Standing at the forefront of technology to curb China

The US Department of Commerce News Office has not yet responded to Raymond's visit to China, nor has it disclosed which topics will be discussed with Chinese officials during the visit.

However, based on Raymond's identity and a series of public statements, it is expected that China US economic and trade relations, semiconductor policies, and other areas will be the focus of attention.

In terms of economic and trade relations with China, as Minister of Commerce, Raymond played a crucial role and carried multiple heavy responsibilities.

She is responsible for both promoting exports from the United States to China, one of its largest trading partners, and implementing the Biden administration's technology containment policy, including implementing a ban on chip exports to China and overseeing investment plans under the Chip and Science Act.

Bloomberg described Raymond as standing at the forefront of the White House's efforts to curb Beijing's acquisition of advanced technology.

Raymond said at an event at the Wilson Center last week that at the senior level, it is necessary to deal with China as much as possible in any field, promote development and trade as much as possible, but also protect everything that must be protected. "I have a role to play in both of these matters."

According to Raymond, on the one hand, the United States can expand its trade with China in some risk-free areas. For example, industries such as food, entertainment, health, and beauty.

"Selling coffee and beauty products to China poses no national security risks to the United States and creates employment opportunities for the country," said Raymond. She recently met with Disney CEO Bob Egger and learned that Shanghai Disneyland is rapidly developing. Starbucks also opens new stores in China every day.

However, on the other hand, the United States needs to keep its eyes open to security threats and strategic competition, strengthen cooperation with allies, and prevent the Chinese military from acquiring advanced technology.

It is expected that if Raymond visits China, he will exert efforts in these two directions.

Bloomberg reported that in promoting exports to China, efforts may be made to restart Boeing's plan to deliver the 737 MAX to China. After two air disasters in 2019, this plan came to a standstill.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun stated last week that there are positive signs that the situation may change and delivery plans may resume.

Further analysis indicates that due to the domestic situation and trade restrictions in the United States, bilateral trade between China and the United States has significantly declined in the first half of 2023, and strengthening exchanges between Chinese and American officials is at a critical moment. However, issues such as US sanctions on Chinese companies and increased tariffs on Chinese goods will not be immediately resolved.

A difficult balance of both needs and challenges

In terms of restricting technology exports to China, it has been noted that Raymond's planned trip to China coincides with a sensitive period in US China relations. US President Biden is expected to sign an executive order in mid August to restrict US investment in key technologies in China.

The latest restrictions are seen as an upgraded version of the semiconductor ban on China introduced in October last year, with a focus on the semiconductor, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence sectors.

The United States has also joined forces with Japan and the Netherlands to implement export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Faced with US suppression, China has also taken countermeasures. Starting from August 1st, China officially implemented export controls on key raw materials for semiconductor production such as gallium and germanium. Previously, China banned Micron Technology from selling memory chips in China.

Raymond said in a recent interview with CNBC that she has serious concerns about China's ban on US technology companies and disregard for intellectual property rights.

Bloomberg cited sources familiar with the matter as saying that one possible outcome of Raymond's visit to China is the formation of a working group by the commerce departments of the two countries to discuss US export controls on cutting-edge technologies to China.

Raymond has stated that she must maintain a balance between promoting US business interests in China and ensuring national security interests. She also believes that she can implement the Biden administration's chip export ban while promoting US business development in China, although this may be a "difficult balance".

China has repeatedly pointed out that the United States has used so-called national security as an excuse to unreasonably suppress Chinese enterprises, and this discriminatory and unfair approach seriously damages normal economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States. The United States should take practical actions to demonstrate sincerity in addressing China's main concerns and stabilizing bilateral trade, and effectively inject positive energy into Sino US economic and trade cooperation.