WASHINGTON D.C. April 21, 2026 – U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) on Tuesday publicly questioned the Trump administration’s approach to China, citing tariffs, technology transfers, and a lack of accountability on unfair trade practices and cyber attacks as she prepares for a major summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled in the coming weeks.
In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter) under the caption “Let’s talk about China and our national security,” Slotkin — a former national security official and CIA analyst — addressed Navy Adm. Papparo, one of the nation’s top experts on Asia and China, during what appears to be a congressional hearing.
“I’m thinking about the summit that is about to happen in a month — huge summit between President Trump and Xi Jinping,” Slotkin said. “And I am personally struggling with what our policy and our plan is going into that summit.”
Slotkin reviewed what she described as a mixed and inconsistent record:
- Tariffs and Agriculture: The U.S. has imposed broad tariffs, at one point levying higher duties on Canada than on China. She noted that China was once the largest buyer of American soybeans, but U.S. farmers now require billions of dollars in federal bailouts.
- Unfair Trade Practices: Despite China’s well-documented history of unfair trade practices, Slotkin said “there’s been zero moves made to hold them accountable.”
- Technology and AI: The administration has allowed China access to the U.S.’s most advanced AI chips — technology that American companies are “desperate to get their hands on.” She also criticized a recent conflict with Anthropic, whose AI tools are embedded in Department of Defense systems, calling it ill-timed during a critical AI race with Beijing.
- Cyber and Research: Plans for sanctions over China’s “Salt Typhoon” cyber attack were reportedly cut, and research and development funding at U.S. universities has been reduced even as China surges ahead in key technologies.
Slotkin concluded: “Now we head into this summit. So I will admit that I am concerned about what we are going to offer and get from this summit.”
The Michigan Democrat, who represents a state with significant agricultural and manufacturing interests, has frequently highlighted national security risks posed by China. Her comments come as the Trump administration prepares for high-stakes talks with Beijing, with the exact dates and location of the summit still under discussion but expected within the next month.
The video quickly drew reactions online, with supporters praising Slotkin’s call for strategic clarity and critics accusing her of undermining the president’s negotiating position.
This is a developing story. Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Trump-Xi summit and U.S.-China relations.
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