Congresswoman Young called on President Donald Trump to use his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to secure the release of detained Americans and curb economic coercion. The summit is scheduled for September 24 in Washington, D.C. In a bipartisan letter sent to the president, Young outlined specific demands intended to translate U.S. leverage into verifiable commitments.
The letter highlights several American citizens currently held by Chinese authorities. It cites the detention of scholar Min Zin, who was taken into custody on June 3 after attending an academic event. Dr. Youlin Chen has been held for more than 600 days without trial or family access. The text also references Jimmy Lai, a British citizen detained in Hong Kong for operating a free press, urging their immediate release. Young noted that Trump previously secured the release of Pastor Ezra Jin by raising the case directly with Xi.
Economic policy forms a central part of the proposed agenda. Young argued that China has exploited vulnerabilities in global supply chains, specifically regarding critical minerals used in smartphones, automobiles, and defense technologies. In June, Beijing added U.S. companies MP Materials and USA Rare Earth to its export-control blacklist. While welcoming short-term supply stabilization agreements, Young warned against creating permanent dependence on Chinese resources. She pointed to Project Vault, launched in February, as a domestic stockpile initiative to reduce reliance on foreign supply cuts.
Legislative measures are cited as tools for the administration to wield at the table. The DOMINANCE Act, which passed the House in June, aims to position the United States as the preferred partner for nations developing their own resources. Additionally, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, signed into law last week, provides stronger mechanisms to target entities funding adversaries. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s Operation Economic Fury is described as targeting revenue streams supporting the Iranian regime.
Young urged the president to address Beijing’s role in sustaining foreign conflicts. She stated that Chinese purchases of Russian and Iranian energy fuel Vladimir Putin’s war machine and destabilizing proxies in Tehran. The letter demands that any bank or entity helping adversaries evade U.S. sanctions face severe economic consequences, asserting that access to the global economy requires adherence to international rules.
The stability of the Taiwan Strait is identified as a critical issue for U.S. interests. Taiwan produces more than 90% of the world’s most advanced semiconductors and ranks as the United States’ fourth-largest trading partner. Young emphasized that a blockade or military conflict in the region would disrupt global markets and raise costs for American consumers and businesses, particularly those in Southern California’s Indo-Pacific trade gateway.