Between the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) formation this year, the plethora of hearings held on the CCP’s economic coercion, technological influence, and human rights abuses, and China’s military aggression towards Taiwan, Americans have every right to be concerned.

The authoritarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party poses a significant threat to U.S. national security, the economy, and our way of life. I am glad to see that the United States and our European allies have come together during the fourth Trade and Technology Council meeting to discuss ways to counter the CCP’s growing global influence, specifically regarding emerging technologies.

It is essential that the United States can remain a leader in both developing and setting the rules and standards for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and 5/6G. By doing so, American technology companies can reap the economic benefits of bringing new technologies to market, in turn strengthening the U.S. economy, and our military will be dependent on U.S.-made technology, not CCP-made technology rooted in authoritarian surveillance values.

Unfortunately, 54% of people believe that the United States’ influence as a global leader is declining. Our elected leaders must work to change course and help strengthen American global competitiveness and leadership. That starts with ensuring our American tech companies – key players in our defense strategy and economic security – can compete with the CCP’s rising influence.

There is strong bipartisan concern with the CCP, and Washington must continue its momentum of blunting any technological, economic, or geopolitical ambitions it has to dominate the globe.

Zoie Raybon, Provo

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