Politics. On Point.

Where we are, and how we got here. As most of America plans to reopen work, businesses and schools after millions of COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered, the task at finding the origin of the deadly virus that has caused a world-wide pandemic that killed hundreds of thousands, continues. In March of 2021 the Biden administration put together a COVID-19 task force, the U.S. Intelligence Community, to determine the origin of the virus. The CDC estimates that of the roughly thirty-three million U.S. cases, nearly  600,000  Americans have died from the virus.  We all recall the lifestyle changes. Many jobs forced to shut down; schools closed and pick and virtural learning became the norm. We recall the sacrifices many made to stay safe, to distance oneself from friends and family - just to stay alive.  While some took the virus seriously, others did not. The very ideal of mask wearing became controversial , even amid members of Congress .  Then...

  Mrs. Obama to Visit the Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School on March 4   The First Lady will travel to China from March 19-26, 2014 . She will be visiting Beijing from March 20-23 , Xi’an on March 24, and Chengdu from March 25-26. During her trip, the First Lady will meet with Madame Peng, the spouse of China’s President Xi Jinping. She will also visit a university and a high school in Beijing, and a high school in Chengdu. Additional details about the First Lady’s trip will be announced in the coming weeks. Accompanying Mrs. Obama on this trip will be her mother, Mrs. Marian Robinson, and daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama.   During the trip to China, as on previous international trips to Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, the First Lady will be focusing on the power and importance of education, both in her own life and in the lives of young people in both countries.   She will also be visiting important historical and cultural sites in Chin...

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced today that the United States has requested dispute settlement consultations with the Government of China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning China’s auto and auto parts “export base” subsidy program.  Under the program, China provides extensive subsidies to auto and auto parts producers located in designated regions, known as “export bases,” that meet export performance requirements.  China’s program appears to provide export subsidies that are prohibited under WTO rules because they severely distort trade.  The subsidies provide an unfair advantage to auto and auto parts manufacturers located in China, which are in competition with producers located in the United States and other countries.  Based on publicly available documents, “export bases” made at least $1 billion in subsidies available to auto and auto-parts exporters in China during the years 2009 through 2011.  “The Obama Administratio...

Protesters demonstrated in front of the White House yesterday with a message for President Obama to acknowledge the human rights abuses taking place in Tibet. In response to what is taking place in the region, Tibetans are setting themselves on fire in extreme protest. A Tibetan nun died after setting herself on fire. Palden Choetso is the 12th person to self-immolate this year in protest at the continued Chinese occupation of Tibet. The Free Tibet movement stands for the right of Tibetans to determine their own future. and for the fundamental human rights of Tibetans to be respected. Here is more video from yesterday's White House protest.  Protester has message for President Obama. Protests have also taken place in front of the U.S. State Department, and were present during the Chinese state visit of China's president, Hu Jintao,  earlier this year.

Chinese President Hu Jintao  was given a welcome reception in Washington by the White House as he and President Obama talked trade, trust, and human rights issues.   President Obama and Chinese president Hu Jintao take a photo after their joint press conference. Photo/CD Brown. "Let’s also never forget that throughout our history our people have worked together for mutual progress.  We’ve traded together for more than 200 years.  We stood together in the Second World War.  Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans have helped to build America, including many who join us here tonight", said President Obama. While the White House was welcoming the foreign president (the eighth time the two presidents have met), those on Capitol Hill cited reasons why the U.S. should not be so diplomatic with the current Chinese president.  Rep. Christopher H. Smith , (R-NJ) touted president Hu as China's "iron fist in Tibet, referring to the Chinese leader's act...

Wednesday at Howard University First Lady Michelle Obama spoke to the nation's future leaders about the benefits of studying abroad, especially in China. On the heels of Chinese president Hu Jintao  visiting Washington, Mrs. Obama told students at Howard's Cramton Auditorium, "The fact is, with every friendship you make, and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world.  That is so important.  So when you study abroad, you’re actually helping to make America stronger." The event was highlighted by a panel of students who have experienced Chinese culture and language.  One former Howard a lumni called the initiative "exciting".  As a Howard University graduate that studied in Beijing during the spring of 2005, she said writes, "I know just how spectacular the RJB center is. Best experience of my entire life." Mrs. Obama was joined at Howard by Madame Chen Naiqing, the wife of Chi...