China has been using economic coercion to pressure countries in various disputes. In response, a team at the State Department, known as 'the firm,' is helping countries cope with the economic blowback. Led by State Department senior adviser Melanie Hart, the team reviews vulnerabilities and develops responses for countries that are cut off or fear losing trade with China. Over a dozen countries have approached the Biden administration for assistance. The effort comes as the US is stepping up its campaign to push back against China's global influence. China denies using economic pressure and accuses the US of bullying. The team at the State Department offers confidential assistance, coordinating with other US agencies to provide support to countries facing economic coercion from China [6af52522].
Jonathan D.T. Ward, founder of the Atlas Organization, believes that it is time for the US to take strong action against China's economy. He highlights the strengthening partnership between China and Russia and its impact on the global order [a4d2c3ef].
Countries facing economic pressure from China are seeking assistance from the US State Department to mitigate the effects. After China attempted to punish Lithuania for establishing a liaison office with Taiwan, the US intervened and created a team to support countries dealing with economic coercion. Around a dozen nations in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe have reached out to the State Department for guidance on diversifying their export markets away from China. The team, informally known as 'the firm,' consists of eight members and is led by Melanie Hart, the China policy coordinator at the State Department. The team operates like a consultancy, offering analysis of trade vulnerabilities to China and assistance in diversifying export markets. They also conduct table-top exercises to strategize responses to Beijing's actions. The creation of the team was prompted by China's attempts to punish Lithuania for opening a liaison office with Taiwan in 2021. The US government has increasingly used economic and trade tools in its competition with China, including sanctions, tariffs, and export controls. The US State Department has created an eight-person team, informally known as 'the firm', to help countries respond to economic pressure from China. Led by Melanie Hart, the China policy coordinator, the team operates like a consultancy, offering analysis of trade vulnerabilities to China and assistance in diversifying export markets away from China. The team has also conducted table-top exercises to game out different responses to Beijing. About a dozen nations in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe have sought guidance from the team [f8786905].
This situation serves as a warning to other nations about the potential weaponization of economic dependence. China has not responded to allegations of economic coercion. In the case of Lithuania, China implemented trade restrictions, pressured multinational companies, and canceled trade credits after Lithuania allowed a Taiwanese trade office to use the word 'Taiwan' in its name. The US, in response, provided trade credits, improved market access, and offered diplomatic support to Lithuania [1a04468c].
The US State Department has formed a team to assist countries facing economic coercion from China. The team, informally known as 'the firm,' is led by Melanie Hart and operates as a consultancy, providing analysis of trade vulnerabilities, diversification strategies, and public support if requested. The formation of the team came after Washington intervened in 2021 when Beijing attempted to penalize Lithuania for establishing a liaison office with Taiwan. Since then, numerous nations across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe have sought guidance on dealing with or mitigating economic pressure from China. The US has adopted a more proactive approach, acknowledging past failures to adequately support allies like South Korea and Australia. Challenges persist, including internal political divisions and skepticism regarding US trade commitments [23dfce6b].
China has threatened trade with some countries after feuds. The U.S. State Department has set up an eight-person team known as 'the firm' to provide help to countries cut off from Chinese trade. Led by State Department senior adviser Melanie Hart, the group reviews vulnerabilities and develops responses for countries that are cut off or fear losing trade with China. Since the group’s launch with Lithuania, more than a dozen countries have approached the Biden administration for assistance. The Chinese Embassy in Washington denies using economic pressure on other countries and accuses the United States of bullying China economically. The State Department team works as the first line of response and can coordinate with other U.S. agencies to reach every tool that the U.S. government has. The assistance provided by 'the firm' is confidential, and the team tries to offer a quicker way to ease a crisis by helping countries divert agricultural products to new markets, build more cold storage, or improve product quality. The effort comes as Washington is stepping up its campaign to push back at China’s global influence and tensions grow between the rivals [6a2be5ba].