America Labor, Economic competitiveness, Alliances, Democracy and Security Act

Short title— This Act may be cited as the “America Labor, Economic competitiveness, Alliances, Democracy and Security Act” or the “America LEADS Act”.

Table of contents— The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

The United States and the People's Republic of China established diplomatic relations on January 1, 1979, and both countries can benefit from constructive diplomatic ties and regular dialogue.

The strategic competition between the United States and the People’s Republic of China will shape the future of the 21st century, and the United States must accordingly reinvigorate its domestic industries and invest in research and development, entrepreneurs, domestic manufacturing, and the skills, education, and success of a diverse and inclusive workforce, while also ensuring that American soft and hard power remain unparalleled on the world stage.

United States policy towards the People’s Republic of China is part of a broader approach to the Indo-Pacific and the world which aspires to work with our allies and partners to advance shared values and interests by preserving and enhancing a free, open, democratic inclusive, rules-based, stable, and diverse region.

The United States does not seek to determine a particular state for the People’s Republic of China or contain the People’s Republic of China’s legitimate development or the legitimate aspirations of the Chinese people; nor do we wish to disengage from the People’s Republic of China or its people.

The Government of China has made and continues to make decisions that fundamentally challenge United States national interests, regional peace and stability, and international security, including on vital strategic, economic, and diplomatic matters, human rights, and the rule of law.

The malign activities of the Government of China related to predatory trade practices, economic espionage, regional aggression, and disrespect for human rights, democratic norms, and international law inhibits diplomatic, economic, and security relations with the United States.

United States-China trade and economic relations have expanded significantly over the past three decades. Yet the People’s Republic of China’s commitments on trade issues, including technology transfers, intellectual property rights, and subsidies of domestic industries, have fallen short, requiring a rebalancing of trade and economic ties, the enforcement of existing rules and agreements, and the pursuit of future trade agreements that include rigorous verification and enforcement mechanisms.

In recent years, United States-China military exchanges, with a goal of achieving greater transparency, mutual understanding, and confidence, have included high-level visits and recurrent exchanges between civilian and military officials. The United States remains committed to military-military engagement that would help to prevent miscalculation and miscommunication.

The authoritarianism of the Government of China has deepened under General Secretary Xi Jinping, including a decision to remove presidential term limits and new and repressive policies in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet, a new governance model embracing “digital authoritarianism,” and steps to severely repress and crush China’s civil society.

The United States and the People’s Republic of China are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and have opportunities to cooperate where shared interests align on areas of mutual concern, including mitigating the effects of climate change, building a strong global economy, and ensuring regional peace and security.

Apprenticeship— The term apprenticeship means an apprenticeship program that is registered by the Office of Apprenticeship or a State apprenticeship agency under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”) (50 State. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), including, as in effect on December 30, 2019, any requirement, standard, or rule promulgated under that Act.

Critical technology; critical technology areas— The terms “critical technology” and “critical technology area” have the meaning given the term “critical technology” in section 103(a).

To preserve and enhance a free, open, inclusive, stable, and diversified Indo-Pacific in which countries pursue their objectives peacefully and in accordance with international law and shared norms and principles, including—

To strengthen cooperation among our partners in the region, leveraging their significant and growing capabilities to build a network of like-minded states that sustains and strengthens a rules-based regional order and addresses regional and global challenges.

To recognize and respond to the differences between the United States and the People’s Republic of China and the geopolitical, strategic, economic, technological, and normative challenge that the Government of China, under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, poses to the United States and to the global community, as well as to the opportunities that exist to engage cooperatively with a China that is peaceful, stable, prosperous, and a responsible player in international affairs, with economic policies consistent with a rules-based level playing field and its international obligations.

Restriction on funding for apprenticeship programs— Funds made available under this Act to support apprenticeship programs may only be used to support apprenticeship programs that meet the definition of apprenticeship under section 3.

Applicability of existing restrictions on assistance to foreign security forces— Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish, supplant, supersede, or otherwise restrict or prevent responsibilities of the United States Government under 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act (22 U.S.C. 2378d) or section 362 of title 10, United States Code.