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[Page H4854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE TRUMP BUSINESS MODEL
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Gallego) for 5 minutes.
Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, as you know, Members of this House disagree
on a whole range of topics, but one rare point of bipartisan agreement
concerns the ZTE Corporation.
We have all heard complaints about the theft of trade secrets by ZTE
and other major Chinese companies. We all know that when American
companies are forced into licensing and disclosure agreements with
Chinese State-owned enterprises, American technology is as good as
stolen. We have all sat through hearings and briefings on the
significant threat that ZTE and its brother, Huawei, pose to our
national security. That is why it is concerning that President Trump
decided to let ZTE off the hook for secretly doing business with Iran
and North Korea.
Of course, this decision wasn't the only one affecting international
trade that the Trump administration has made in recent weeks. He is
imposing tariffs on our allies in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. His
Ambassador to Germany has disgraced himself in the capital of our
biggest European partner. He continues to insult our best trading
partners by labeling them as security threats.
That is right, Mr. Speaker. Donald Trump is giving aid and comfort to
ZTE, a known corporate enemy of America, while at the same time going
out of his way to alienate our closest friends and allies around the
world. But why?
I am sure it is just a fluke that Trump is allowing ZTE to resume its
purchases of U.S. technology immediately following China's decision to
award Ivanka Trump seven new Chinese trademarks.
I am positive it is just a coincidence that Trump cut a deal with ZTE
right away after various Chinese entities offered $1 billion in
financing to a resort with ties to the Trump organization. Just a
coincidence.
There is nothing to see here, says the Trump administration. Don't
ask any questions. Don't demand any information. Just look the other
way.
How did we get here, Mr. Speaker? Where is the Grand Old Party as
Donald Trump erodes our alliances, makes nice with our enemies, and
ignites a global trade war?
We need to get to the bottom of whether there was a quid pro quo with
China over ZTE, and we need to get to work on tough legislation to
prevent China from illicitly acquiring American technology, especially
technology with important defense applications and capabilities.
Bipartisan bills for this purpose with broad support from both
parties have already been introduced. The Republican leadership should
immediately bring those bipartisan bills to the floor for debate and
consideration. That is what the American people expect. They want this
body to stand up to America's adversaries and to stand up for America's
laws and values.
{time} 1030
They want us to reassert our power as a coequal branch of government.
Trump is tearing down America's alliances. We must preserve them.
Trump is sucking up to dictators and repressive regimes all around
the world. We must condemn them.
More importantly, Trump and his cronies are using the Presidency to
enrich themselves, and we must stop them.
Let's put an end to the Trump of business model: quid pro quo, pay to
play, this for that.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the day when my Republican friends are
courageous enough to say out loud what many of them whisper here in
these hallways: that coddling Chinese companies like ZTE is reckless,
that attacking our allies is dangerous, that using high office for
personal gain is flat-out wrong.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from
engaging in personalities toward the President.
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