SIMIC

Accusing China of promoting "discriminatory industrial policies, forcing technology transfer and intellectual property theft, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) called on the Biden administration in a letter to come up with a fresh approach.

"The new strategy must include all available tools, including targeted bilateral engagement, assertive US leadership in global institutions and close, coordinated engagement with allies and partners," said NAM, which counts 14,000 companies in every industrial sector.

"Strategic use of legislative and enforcement tools will be critical to pressure China to change its economic behavior and to level the playing field," the NAM letter said.

The manufacturers group acknowledged that any new strategy must recognise that China is a "necessary partner" in the post-pandemic world even as it challenges American interests and fiercely competes with the US economically.