Blinken calls on China for “healthy economic competition”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on China for "healthy economic competition" between the two countries that serves their interests.

The US Secretary of State wrote on the X website:

“I spoke with American entrepreneurs about the challenges and opportunities they face in doing business here in China. I stressed that the United States and China can benefit from healthy economic competition, but this competition must be fair.”

He also posted a video clip upon his arrival in Shanghai in which he said that he would work on issues “of concern to the American people,” including fentanyl and synthetic opioids, which he said were “the leading killer of Americans between the ages of 18-49 years.”

He added that Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping agreed during their meeting at the end of last year to cooperate to prevent the arrival of “fentanyl” and other ingredients to the United States.

Blinken also referred to his upcoming meeting with students, academics, entrepreneurs and other people who are building bridges and relations between the two countries.

He continued: "Of course, we will deal with the areas in which we have real differences with China, deal with them directly, and communicate clearly. Direct, face-to-face diplomacy is influential and important to avoid misunderstandings and misperceptions, in order to advance the interests of the American people."

He expressed his hope that the meetings in Shanghai and Beijing would be fruitful.