US ‘happy to help’ countries fearing China’s economic coercion: State Department

Biden administration signals it is ‘more than happy’ to share what it knows about ‘Beijing’s playbook’ with partners if and when they are threatened

Remarks by senior State Department adviser come at launch of report investigating reach and role of Chinese corporate entities in state policy

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China dominates global production of gallium and germanium, chemical elements used in semiconductors. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:36am, 7 Nov 2023Updated: 6:26am, 7 Nov 2023

‘Happy to help’ is the message the administration of US President Joe Biden seeks to convey to countries pondering actions in their own interest but fearful about incurring Beijing’s wrath.

The US is “more than happy” to share “what we know about Beijing’s playbook” on economic coercion, according to a senior State Department official on Monday.

“Our doors are open. You are not alone. We are always ready to serve as a resource,” said Melanie Hart, a senior adviser for China and the Indo-Pacific in the office of the undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.

Hart’s remarks came at the launch of a report titled “Investigating China’s economic coercion: The reach and role of Chinese corporate entities” held at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank.

While some countries welcomed “very public support” from the US, others “prefer quiet engagement”, she said, adding that the US was “entirely flexible” in how it could help.