Larsen Statement On Secretary Geithner's Visit To China

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) made the following statement in response to Secretary Geithner's announcement that he will visit China on Thursday to discuss currency with the Vice Premier. Larsen is the co-chair of the bipartisan U.S.-China Working Group and met with Vice Premier Wan Quishan in both Beijing and Washington, D.C. last year. China is the largest and more rapidly growing export market for Washington state.

"I applaud Secretary Geithner's continued attention to the US-China bilateral relationship. There are many critical issues facing both nations, and the Secretary's visit to China sends an important message that these matters are of utmost importance to the U.S. government.

"As China reviews whether to remove the RMBs current peg to the dollar, a strong message from the Administration that the Chinese currency must be allowed to appreciate against the dollar is important.

"However, while currency is a critical issue, we must not forget that the United States has many relationships with China and continued dialogue on this and other important issues such as the Chinese Indigenous Innovation policy must remain a priority for this Administration.

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