It's impossible for companies that work with Chinese firms to say they are not working with its government as well, Sen. David Perdue said Wednesday, noting that he had lived and worked in the Asian nation himself.
"They are so vertically integrated," the Georgia Republican told Fox Business' "Mornings With Maria." "I don't think any U.S. company can say they are not working with the Chinese government, unless, they have done a study review to make sure they are not doing that."
He pointed out that if one wants to invest in a business or create one in China, they will be meeting with government officials in Beijing first.
"It is totally transparent," said Perdue. "You are dealing with the government to deal with any business over there, whether we were making cars, whether we are selling locomotives, you are dealing with the government."
He added that he has to give President Donald Trump credit for being the first president out of the last five to ask China for a level playing field, including working to stop the theft of technology, but a trade deal will still take some time to achieve, said Perdue.
Meanwhile, he said he hopes the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the replacement for NAFTA, comes up for a vote, as it is a "dramatic improvement" over the former trade bill, and he believes it will be approved.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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