Janice R. Andrews
US Congressman Jim Banks has asked the Pentagon to conduct an official inquiry into Democratic vice presidential contender Tim Walz’s trips to China while he was a member of the National Guard, in what appears to be the latest attempt by Republicans to discredit Walz. Banks expressed concerns to Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin over the governor of Minnesota and the former National Guardsman’s possible failure to disclose international travel to China, which is mandatory for military members with security clearances.
The charges coincide with escalating hostilities between the US and China, as Banks portrays Walz’s previous visits to China as a possible security threat. He argues that Walz, who had made several trips to China for business and study, could have broken the law, pointing to potential oversights in the travel reporting obligations.
Congressman Banks’s Apprehensions
Congressman Banks, a Republican from Indiana, raised concerns in his letter over Walz’s compliance with the requirements for reporting international travel. He mentioned that Walz, who spent more than twenty years serving in the National Guards in both Nebraska and Minnesota, had made many trips to China between 1989 and 2003.
In the letter, Banks hinted that Walz might not have disclosed the full scope of his overseas travels, saying, “It strains credulity that Walz’s National Guard superiors would not have had some concerns about his pattern of behavior.”
Members of the House Armed Services Committee and its Select Committee on China, including Banks, pointed out that National Guardsmen who advance to high levels usually obtain a “secret-level” security clearance, which comes with stringent criteria for reporting international travel. The congressman surmised that Walz “probably” had this kind of clearance when serving in the Guard, meaning he would have had to disclose any overseas travel.
Walz estimated that he visited China around thirty times, the most of which occurred when he was serving in the National Guard. Banks said that Walz’s supervisors did not appear to be concerned about the large number of travels, which he feels is probably because Walz failed to disclose the trips in a suitable manner.
The Pentagon’s Reaction
According to a Pentagon representative as of Wednesday, Banks’ letter will receive a response “in due course” from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Regarding the timetable and the extent of any prospective probe, the representative did not offer any further information.
In the unlikely event that Walz neglected to disclose his travels to China, the ramifications are unclear. Congressman Banks, however, stated unequivocally that he thinks these trips—which he called “irresponsible”—present a significant security danger.
“Any individual travelling dozens of times to an adversary nation in a personal capacity while having access to classified information poses an obvious security risk,” Banks said.
Walz’s China Experience: A Two-edged Sword
Tim Walz has had a complex and lengthy history with China. In 1989, he made his first trip to China as a participant in a teaching program connected to Harvard. He became one of the first teachers in China to receive official government approval at that time. Along the way, he founded a company with his spouse, and together, they arranged student visits to China until 2003. Because of this experience, Walz is still able to speak a little bit of Mandarin and is more knowledgeable about China than many US lawmakers.
A future Harris administration may benefit from Walz’s vast experience with China, according to some commentators, since it would provide a more balanced viewpoint on US-China ties. Expert on US-China relations and Duke University professor Denis Simon commended Walz’s practical expertise, arguing it may help the US make more informed policy decisions with China.
“Hopefully, American leaders will be asking more and better-informed questions about PRC behaviors and intentions now that Walz has firsthand experience in China,” Simon said.
Nevertheless, Banks and other Republicans are presenting a less positive image by emphasizing Walz’s statements from 2016 on US-China collaboration. They contend that, given the present level of geopolitical tensions, Walz’s remarks—in which he said the two nations were not enemies—indicate a worrisome “affinity” for China.
A Tense Moment in US-China Ties
The request for an examination of Walz’s past travels coincides with a delicate period in US-China relations. The stakes in the current tensions between the two countries have increased when a US Army intelligence analyst entered a guilty plea to charges of plotting to sell military secrets to Beijing. This development has increased concerns about China’s espionage efforts.
While some US legislators, like Banks, support a more assertive posture toward China, including restricted engagement, others argue that communication with Beijing is essential to maintaining long-term stability and averting confrontation. Walz has a more nuanced perspective on the relationship having served on the nonpartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which examines Beijing’s record on human rights and the rule of law. In a further demonstration of his dedication to Chinese human rights problems, he was the sole House Democrat to co-sponsor the 2017 Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.
Even still, Banks has criticized Walz for his previous comments, claiming they were out of step with the geopolitical environment at the time, and accused him of being overly forgiving of China.
Implications for Politics
Since Walz was chosen as Kamala Harris’s running mate, Republicans have not spent any time in focusing their attacks on his contacts in China. With his substantial business contacts with China, speculation on Walz’s eligibility for the vice presidency has been rife on social media.
Nevertheless, Walz has his supporters. Pro-democracy activist Jeffrey Ngo from Hong Kong publicly commended Walz, describing him as “amazing” and emphasizing his commitment to human rights. Like other supporters, Ngo believes that Walz’s background will be a benefit rather than a draw when it comes to managing US-China ties.
“I am damn proud of my service to this country,” Walz said in response to criticism of his military record during a recent campaign rally in Los Angeles. Furthermore, I truly think that you should never disparage the service record of another individual.
Walz and the Harris campaign have not yet responded formally to Banks’ letter or the charges it makes, despite the ongoing controversy regarding his visits to China and military service.
Final Thoughts
The discussion surrounding Tim Walz’s visits to China and his influence on US-China relations speaks to a larger conflict in Washington on the most effective way to deal with Beijing. The scenario adds another level of complication to the already intense 2024 presidential campaign, as Republicans like Jim Banks seek for a Pentagon probe into Walz’s activities.
For the time being, Walz’s defenders maintain that his time spent in China offers him a distinct advantage in determining US policy, while his detractors continue to question his judgment and earlier choices. It is unclear how this matter will go as the Pentagon evaluates Banks’ request for an inquiry.
