Rubio told host Margaret Brennan: “The trade issues with China are not going to be the subject of one deal. This is a major reordering of our relationship to try to bring some balance and symmetry to it.“
The Florida senator has been critical of China’s human rights record, particularly its mass incarceration of Uighur Muslims, a minority group. Rubio said he hoped Congress would soon pass legislation supporting the Uighurs.
“I hope we can get a deal done with the House,“ he said, adding: “They passed a version of a Uighur human rights bill. We have our version. They’re pretty close, so we can get something done and signed.”
Rubio introduced legislation calling attention to the mistreatment of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) in November 2018.
“The United States must hold accountable officials in the Chinese government and Communist Party responsible for gross violations of human rights and possible crimes against humanity,“ Rubio said at the time. Menendez added: “China’s treatment of its Uighur minority is beyond abhorrent.”
The South China Morning Post reported Sunday that a delegation led by Vice-Premier Liu He will travel to Washington on Jan. 13 to sign the agreement. The report indicated that the Chinese government was caught off-guard by Trump’s announcement of the signing date.
Source: politico.com
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