A group of 17 congressional Republicans urged President Joe Biden to reject a proposal before the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization's council that the lawmakers say would "strengthen China's position in the organization, and weaken American agricultural leadership on the world stage."
Sen. Roger Marshall and Rep. Tracey Mann, both representing Kansas, led the effort to write to Biden.
The letter focuses on a proposal by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu to extend his office's maximum tenure from eight years to 10 years, boost his annual $300,000 salary and allowance, and increase the FAO's control over the U.S.-led World Food Programme.
"When as many as 700 million people face hunger globally and manmade global conflicts are on the rise, this proposal de-emphasizes any of FAO's successful efforts to achieve food security and allows China to expand its global influence by taking advantage of America as it transitions political administrations," the lawmakers wrote in their Wednesday letter.
"Let us be clear, the nationality of any FAO Director-General alone is not of concern; rather, our concern remains with policy initiatives and personnel appointments which could advance foreign policy goals which pose a threat to America."
The lawmakers pointed out that since 2019 China's involvement in FAO "has eclipsed several United Nations' policy goals with initiatives which serve China's foreign policy agenda."
"The number of Chinese appointees to high-level divisions at FAO has nearly doubled, including to areas which China and the United States have conflicting policy positions," the lawmakers wrote.
"America cannot afford to sit idly by — even in a time of political transition — while China positions itself to expand its influence over a body to which our nation belongs. We urge you to reject any proposal that could undermine efficiency in food and agriculture-related organizations, strengthen China's position, or weaken America's leadership on the world stage. Further, we urge you to position American farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural producers as the global leader in food and agriculture and to represent our country's production and ideals across the globe."
The letter also was signed by Sens. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, James Risch, R-Wis., and Rick Scott, R-Fla., and by Reps. Brad Finstad, R-Minn., John Moolenaar, R-Mich., Austin Scott, R-Ga., Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., David Rouzer, R-N.C., Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, Mary Miller, R-Ill., Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., Mark Alford, R-Mo., and Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa.
The lawmakers wrote to Biden while the proposal had been "forwarded ... to a state of informal consultation."
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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