U.S. Senators Launch Bipartisan Bills to Block China Deal

- Bipartisan measures target human rights, Taiwan, and transnational repression. - Action coincides with Trump’s August 12 trade deadline with China. On July 28, 2025, Reuters reported that a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced three bills to challenge China. The legislation targets the country's human rights abuses, its Taiwan policy, and transnational repression. This legislative push comes just weeks ahead of President Trump’s deadline to secure a trade agreement with Beijing, a move that could complicate negotiations as lawmakers emphasize national security concerns over economic interests. Democrat Jeff Merkley and Republicans John Cornyn, John Curtis, and Dan Sullivan lead the effort. One proposed measure would ban Chinese officials implicated in the forced repatriation of Uyghurs from entering the U.S. The bills would also increase American support for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Additionally, the measures aim to counter China’s overseas repression of dissidents and journalists. This legislative initiative shows rare bipartisan unity in Congress on China policy, with lawmakers arguing that trade negotiations should not proceed at the expense of addressing the security threats that Beijing poses. The bills come amid broader U.S.-China tensions. The Trump administration recently faced criticism after it allowed Nvidia to resume sales of its H20 AI chips to China, reversing an earlier ban. Critics warn that this decision could bolster China’s military and surveillance capabilities and undermine previous national security measures protecting sensitive technology exports. By linking these legislative measures to ongoing trade talks and high-tech disputes, Congress signals its intent to prioritize security. It remains uncertain whether this will affect President Trump’s ability to finalize the trade deal.