Washington, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth has criticised President Donald Trump’s approach to China, arguing that his trade and defence policies are weakening US alliances and leaving Indo-Pacific partners concerned ahead of his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Duckworth said the Trump-Xi meeting would have significant implications for US national security, the economy and Washington’s relations with countries facing growing pressure from China.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Center for American Progress in Washington, the Illinois senator cited her official visits this year to Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines and Singapore, where she met government, defence and economic officials.
Duckworth said officials in those countries had raised concerns about the impact of US trade and defence policies on regional partnerships.
“President Trump is fundamentally unable to manage the United States’ relationship with the People’s Republic of China,” Duckworth said.
She criticised what she described as chaotic tariffs and policies that, in her view, have strained US relationships with allies while benefiting authoritarian governments.
Duckworth said US policy towards China should instead focus on protecting Americans from economic coercion and instability, strengthening supply chains and securing commitments on artificial intelligence.
She also called for greater attention to human rights and maintaining US advantages in areas she considers strategically important.
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees, Duckworth said Washington needed to remain a reliable partner for countries dealing with Chinese pressure in the Indo-Pacific. She argued that the US should work with regional governments as they develop responses to emerging security and technological challenges.
Her office also highlighted legislation she has sponsored on crisis management and security in the South China Sea. Her Strategy for Crisis Management Act seeks to improve US preparedness and coordination with regional partners during crises that could otherwise escalate into armed conflict. The measure was included in provisions approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee as part of its version of the annual defence policy bill and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate.
Duckworth has also backed measures aimed at strengthening cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies on asymmetric military operations and medical preparedness.
Her Indo-Pacific Medical Readiness programme seeks to improve access to healthcare for US military personnel and their families stationed across the region, where medical facilities can sometimes be located considerable distances from military communities.
Ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting, Duckworth said discussions should cover economic coercion, regional security, artificial intelligence and human rights. She also urged the administration to reassure US allies and maintain American capabilities in critical strategic areas.
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