[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6310728,"mediaKeyId","2398528-af0a80114061cafe711cb6b6bc88459c","parentId",2398528,"title","Committee hears experts urge tougher screens on outbound investment and stronger economic offers to counter China","audioSeconds",2933,"startMs",2348000,"endMs",5281000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2398528-af0a80114061cafe711cb6b6bc88459c&start=2348&end=5281","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2398528-af0a80114061cafe711cb6b6bc88459c/thumbnail_2348000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6310728/Committee-hears-experts-urge-tougher-screens-on-outbound-investment-and-stronger-economic-offers-to-counter-China","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310728-4e675961480247e118bf9197edca431d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437814&Signature=QdlR2eYfwX3ym2h-HJgRhr5HcUE1yiR3CwPZxPhg6P6bCakLuVIPgv-iN7ewNTxtYHOGmb8vZoOEJZ4Ts7f9hf~wkft0YlRletER3b--wuXbWo0wYnKypBwLPcEG27wC9WSn7aJ2iWiuRcQ8FfHRZaWfe3qeNpWJeZMqcmat0jaGFLIDrvWSpiWn6SbxjjT88OhXMBIoCj8YyO-DdVQapeHenmCC4XbmkTM66EzoMScYbb3Wbm5P97eK~a98lxJjX4MybfmjHdPN-j3ZQpTALACqN0C-5QF2ddKK65lQ8xGf4zT68y~Ztr3MAPBA7Xu5qx11TxM7mNus8Y7qqUqCog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","Chairwoman Sharon Kim opened the hearing asking whether U.S. economic engagement \"has been aligned with the demands and needs of our partners.\" Members and witnesses answered with a mix of urgency about enforcement and proposals for positive economic initiatives.

Nut graf: Witnesses and lawmakers argued that the Indo‑Pacific Economic Framework lacks U.S. market access and that the United States needs both new economic offers (sectoral or bilateral deals) and stronger defensive tools — outbound investment screening, targeted export controls and enforcement actions — to deny China sensitive technology and reduce coercive dependency.

Craig Singleton criticized recent approaches that emphasized diplomacy over deterrence and argued for \"robust outbound investment screening and bans accompanied with enhanced export controls and targeted sanctions\" to deny Beijing access to U.S. capital and dual‑use technologies.

Members pressed witnesses on specific tools. Representative Andy Barr and others highlighted the COINS Act (outbound investment screening legislation) and President Trump's executive order on outbound investment screening. Barr asked whether Congress should codify those powers; Singleton endorsed statutory action, saying codification is \"vital\" even where executive action is in place.

Trade options were debated. Jack Cooper recommended sectoral or bilateral agreements—digital trade chapters or critical-minerals and Taiwan‑related security support—to give partners tangible U.S. economic benefits. Richard Fontaine said the Indo‑Pacific Economic Framework \"lacked any market access in the United States\" and suggested bilateral sectoral deals (digital trade, critical minerals) or eventual free-trade agreements with partners such as the Philippines or Taiwan.

Intellectual property and academic-security concerns were raised. Members cited an FBI estimate in hearing discussion that the Chinese Communist Party steals up to $600,000,000,000 in U.S. intellectual property annually. Witnesses recommended stronger academic partnership screening and enforcement; Singleton referenced the recently reintroduced Deterrent Act to require universities to report certain entanglements with Chinese entities.

On critical minerals and supply chains, members and witnesses recommended combining sourcing and processing, using DFC and aid tools to incentivize private investment, and working with allies (Japan, Korea, Australia, Indonesia) through the Mineral Security Partnership and related programs.

Ending: The committee heard bipartisan support for twin strategies: (1) offer partners clearer market access and targeted bilateral/sectoral agreements to make the U.S. the partner of choice; and (2) codify outbound-investment screening and strengthen export controls and sanctions to protect critical technologies and intellectual property.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Missed Milestones: Evaluating The Last 4 Years in EAP Region & Unseized Opportunities Under Trump","oneSentenceSummary","Witnesses and members debated how to strengthen U.S. economic engagement in East Asia and the Pacific, including market access limits of IPEF, bilateral trade options, critical-minerals partnerships, outbound investment screening (COINS/administrative orders) and measures to curb Chinese intellectual-property theft.","taxTitle","Foreign Affairs: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1826,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6310733,"Subcommittee hears bipartisan calls to deepen alliances, accelerate defense industrial cooperation in Indo‑Pacific",750,2888000,3638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2398528-af0a80114061cafe711cb6b6bc88459c&start=2888&end=3638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2398528-af0a80114061cafe711cb6b6bc88459c/thumbnail_2888000.jpg","/articles/6310733/Subcommittee-hears-bipartisan-calls-to-deepen-alliances-accelerate-defense-industrial-cooperation-in-IndoPacific","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310733-29aa7bc95fb8d356fcec28736865a7e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437814&Signature=SK2BJPJ3Uk4JCUBVvcx-YboellC6SJbR4YHlUe2YO~EHNpJMpSFuYnTaMgYTVm7COOMf44ww1egCMq5nLjDvACyeBgFwSchN90kPiO0Kkm9uoTXEc0MAXJeRol3rsiOEAMoCIDWxzvuKwhDhmBpQxdlktTRkdBcpRP0W-JqQ3V8s-f4Go-Tc9zq1dN6ewr0Opoex1g~5jFQEYWibmoLK0scw0a8hmpiXIfLtBdz3a~DdDR-rlCtg10xTh5SoA2wTDLYz3u0r0TEfVXP69-4PxUDMoIXpo-2nNQbXuwgewb51usWqaKD6Fi0CHihAA2QymD5mXO7i0JKaLJNhyo~DQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairwoman Sharon Kim framed the hearing as an evaluation of U.S. strategy in East Asia and the Pacific and an opportunity to identify steps \"to strengthen our engagement in the region.\"

Nut graf: Across party lines, members and witnesses urged the next administration to deepen alliances with Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Philippines, scale co-development of defense systems with partners and produce quick, demonstrable outcomes under AUKUS pillar 2 and allied industrial projects to restore deterrence.

Witness Jack Cooper laid out five ideas for allied cooperation: an allied defense arsenal for co-production of munitions and autonomous systems; allied energy production and exports; formation of a Taiwan contact group for resilience and capabilities; a trade deal with the Philippines; and a major strategic engagement with Indonesia. Cooper said, \"The United States remains vital to security and prosperity across the Indo Pacific.\"

Richard Fontaine and Craig Singleton emphasized that diplomatic and military steps must be matched by industrial capacity and defense spending. Singleton said the U.S. approach under the prior administration \"amount[ed] to diplomacy without much deterrence\" and recommended targeted export controls, outbound investment screening and sanctions to deny China access to critical technology.

Members raised specific industrial and posture items. Chairwoman Kim pointed to allies' commitments: \"Allies like Korea and Japan, they have taken steps to assist the U.S. defense industrial base ... Japan has already committed 1 trillion dollars,\" she said. Members asked how to align co-production efforts with American innovation and industrial capacity, and how to accelerate AUKUS pillar 2 projects to yield \"quick visible wins.\" Fontaine advised pursuing projects such as quantum and unmanned undersea vehicles and said \"the hard work has been done\" on export-control and ITAR reforms that facilitate cooperation.

On force posture and deterrence, speakers warned that U.S. net military deployments to Asia have been flat while China has increased capabilities, and that renewed attention to force posture, allied basing arrangements and allied investments in their own defense are required. Cooper also cautioned that growing concern in South Korea about deterrence could spur proliferation.

Ending: Members signaled support for legislative and administrative efforts to speed co-development and trusted supply chains, while calling for more sustained diplomatic engagement through high-level meetings and congressional delegations to translate strategy into near-term industrial and security outcomes.","Witnesses advised the committee to sustain trilateral and Quad diplomacy, expand AUKUS cooperation, and pursue defense-industrial and energy partnerships with allies to deter Chinese and North Korean threats; members pressed for concrete, rapid wins in co-development and production.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6310737,"House subcommittee hearing spotlights Pacific Islands influence as U.S. aid and programs face freezes",3174,2727000,5901000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2398528-af0a80114061cafe711cb6b6bc88459c&start=2727&end=5901","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2398528-af0a80114061cafe711cb6b6bc88459c/thumbnail_2727000.jpg","/articles/6310737/House-subcommittee-hearing-spotlights-Pacific-Islands-influence-as-US-aid-and-programs-face-freezes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310737-3bb98d3781e4a6ae7a50b5051b4ff937/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437814&Signature=VJGu4CzWmhVZDOh90TuMkK295XAcjwRFz4a0SrsBqIcQohoZtAxl2DL-FUDttNg6UPxX9tXwkfoZ9z-dTbEywGMXkF-CaV4~f1Lue~HHY3ooQ7KpwYSqNktMRW02XA1Qqj54TJEdkjWActKZe~HUf~USvbcwHliUILqQwp-EoSlmRF9qbCObwpM0x5ZHY~ySjTUXdLdXIlVDVCETu5Obii-TCU-p83XhIq3I6H5G60Yfw1nH-4Y-xhy~P-ZGVjCr5YWEy28iizb1Xhf6XXqrId3i9sVt-~1nbOv8mEFkdo4eZz-MjmGl7uGIYBojJjhasv4GkKY24JC13LX~giW35Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairwoman Sharon Kim opened the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific hearing saying the session would \"evaluate the last 4 years\" of U.S. policy in the region and identify opportunities for the new administration.

The hearing focused heavily on U.S. engagement with Pacific Island nations, where members and witnesses said diplomatic presence, small development projects and regional partnerships matter far beyond their dollar amount. \"We have to show up because if we're not, the PRC can show up with bags of cash and demonstrate influence,\" Ranking Member Representative Ami Bera said.

Nut graf: Witnesses and members said recent administrative freezes on aid and democracy programs—cited during the hearing as including pauses in USAID funding and programs run by the National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute—have created openings that China can exploit. They urged rapid, targeted restoration of critical projects and sustained presence through embassies, investment and diplomatic outreach.

Panelists described concrete examples. Richard Fontaine, chief executive officer at the Center for a New American Security, noted the Biden administration had \"established the embassies in Solomons and Vanuatu and Tonga,\" and warned that those diplomatic gains must be maintained. He said access to the U.S. market is a particular advantage the United States can offer small Pacific economies.

Craig Singleton, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told the committee that Pacific nations themselves have clearly stated what they want from the United States: \"They make clear to us directly what they want from us... market access, economic engagement is the missing link today.\" Singleton and other witnesses recommended using Development Finance Corporation authority, smaller-scale aid and public-private partnerships to sustain influence.

Representative Brad Sherman and other members pressed witnesses over recent policy choices. Sherman criticized an across-the-board pause on development programs, saying it had suspended a $21 million economic support arrangement with the Solomon Islands and citing the $500,000,000 Millennium Challenge Corporation compact with Nepal as an example of projects that the freeze could imperil. Jack Cooper, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said Nepal had committed $200,000,000 toward that compact and warned that freezing compacts creates an opening for Beijing.

On specific tools, members and witnesses discussed several low-cost, high-visibility options: reopening or sustaining small embassies, targeted development projects (for example, fisheries management and seabed mineral partnerships), and regional cooperation with Australia, New Zealand and Japan. \"If you're President Trump and you're looking for areas where a little bit of money goes a long way, what better place than the Pacific?\" Fontaine said.

The witnesses and members also repeatedly urged clearer congressional review and speedy decisions rather than indefinite freezes. Several members asked for an expedited, item-by-item assessment rather than blanket suspension, arguing that a quick restoration of effective programs would blunt Chinese outreach.

Ending: Committee members said they would continue oversight and urged the new administration to make a sustained Pacific strategy a priority, emphasizing diplomatic presence, market pathways and small-scale development assistance as the principal levers to preserve partner countries' sovereignty and counter coercive offers from Beijing.","Members and outside experts warned that recent freezes of U.S. development and democracy programs risk ceding influence in the Pacific to China and urged sustained, targeted diplomatic and aid engagement, including reopening embassies and funding Millennium Challenge Corporation and USAID projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears experts urge tougher screens on outbound investment and stronger economic offers to counter China

Subcommittee hears bipartisan calls to deepen alliances, accelerate defense industrial cooperation in Indo‑Pacific

House subcommittee hearing spotlights Pacific Islands influence as U.S. aid and programs face freezes