Mike Haridopolos

The United States simply wants a "level playing field" with China, Rep. Mike Haridopolos said Thursday, commenting on President Donald Trump's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"China simply doesn't play by the rules on so many things, whether it be environmental laws, labor laws," the Florida Republican told Newsmax's "Wake Up America Early," speaking ahead of Trump's remarks at the official state banquet being held in Beijing.

He added that American companies should be able to compete in Chinese markets without giving up intellectual property or proprietary technology.

"We can't have free trade unless we have fair trade," he said. "We should not have to give up our national secrets as a company in order to do business in China."

The congressman, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee, said American business leaders want broader market access while maintaining protections for U.S. technology and innovation.

Haridopolos said China has made economic progress in recent decades but argued the country must follow international rules more closely.

"China has made tremendous strides, no doubt, since Richard Nixon went back to China back in the 1970s," he said. "But now is a new time, and the Chinese have an opportunity to really step up their game, live by the international rules that we play by."

The Florida Republican also said China should play a larger role in addressing tensions involving Iran and protecting international shipping lanes.

"This terrible situation in Iran can be helped if the Chinese step up and let Iran know that they're not going to be allowed to close international waterways that are so vital to our world's economy," Haridopolos said.

Haridopolos criticized China's Belt and Road initiative, saying some participating nations have struggled under debt obligations linked to Chinese investments.

"Whatever the president of China says today, that's important," Haridopolos said. "But what he does in his actions is what truly matters."

He also accused China of benefiting from unfair labor conditions, pollution, and the theft of American technology.

"They're stealing some of the U.S., let's just say, technological secrets and trying to replicate those without paying the traditional payments that are necessary to do international business," Haridopolos said.

Haridopolos said the presence of American business executives at the summit demonstrated the United States is prepared to strengthen economic ties if China agrees to what he described as fair and reciprocal treatment.

"He's showing a lot of respect to China by bringing some of our greatest American leaders who run amazing businesses," Haridopolos said. "He's saying, 'We want to work together.'"

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