Cardin China bill calls for critical mineral talks, economic defense fund

Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin (D-MD) on Thursday introduced wide-ranging legislation that would authorize the administration to negotiate agreements to cooperate with other countries on critical minerals and establish an economic defense fund for countries determined to be victims of Chinese economic coercion, among other provisions aimed at countering China’s global influence. Cardin introduced the bill the day after he delivered his farewell address to the Senate, as he did not seek reelection in November. Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID),...