Biden:GOP Policies Would Surrender Tech03/29 06:08

   

   DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- President Joe Biden said Tuesday that Republicans' 
ideas for cutting the budget could undermine U.S. manufacturing and help China 
dominate the world economy.

   Speaking at a semiconductor maker in North Carolina to highlight his own 
policies, Biden is trying to shape public sentiment as he faces off with House 
Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., about whether the federal government should 
raise its legal borrowing capacity.

   McCarthy sent a letter Tuesday saying that talks should start about possible 
spending cuts in return for the debt limit increase. Biden has said Republicans 
need to put forth their own budget plan before negotiations start. Without an 
agreement, the federal government could default on its financial obligations.

   The president tried to ratchet up pressure on Tuesday by saying that the GOP 
demands on the budget would only empower China, the country's key geopolitical 
rival. Being tough on China has been a core part of the identity of former 
President Donald Trump, who is seeking to return to the White House in 2024, 
and his Make America Great Again movement. The Democratic president said their 
objections to his policies would instead strengthen China.

   "It would mean ceding the future of innovation and technology to China," 
Biden told the crowd. "I've got news for you and for MAGA Republicans in 
Congress: not on my watch. We're not going to let them undo all the progress we 
made."

   Biden's trip to Wolfspeed follows the Durham-based company announcing plans 
last September to build a $5 billion manufacturing facility in Chatham County 
that is expected to create 1,800 new jobs. Biden had won passage last July of a 
$280 billion legislative package known as the CHIPS Act, which was intended to 
boost the U.S. semiconductor industry and scientific research.

   It's nothing new for the Biden administration to highlight the CHIPS Act, 
the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, the $1 trillion infrastructure legislation 
and a roughly $375 billion climate bill -- major legislation that the 
Democratic administration steered into law before Democrats lost control of the 
House.

   But now, just weeks after Biden unveiled his own budget -- it includes $2.6 
trillion in new spending -- his administration is looking for chances to lean 
into its battle with Republicans over spending priorities and who has better 
ideas to steward the U.S. economy in the years to come. Republicans have 
rejected Biden's budget but have yet to unveil their own counteroffer to the 
Democrats' blueprint, which is built around tax increases on the wealthy and a 
vision statement of sorts for Biden's yet-to-be-declared campaign for 
reelection in 2024.

   His trip is part of a larger effort to draw attention to his policies, which 
have been overshadowed by high inflation.

   Besides Biden's visit to Wolfspeed, Vice President Kamala Harris, first lady 
Jill Biden and other senior administration officials will fan out to 20 states 
over the next three weeks to highlight the impact of Biden's economic agenda, 
according to the White House.

   Biden has said he intends to run for a second term but has yet to formally 
launch his reelection campaign.

   His effort to highlight legislative victories could also give him an 
opportunity to present voters with images of an administration focused on 
governing as Trump braces for a possible indictment.

   Trump is being investigated over payments during his 2016 campaign to two 
women who alleged affairs or sexual encounters with him. The ex-president 
denies being involved with either of the women -- porn actor Stormy Daniels and 
model Karen McDougal.

   Trump narrowly won North Carolina in 2020. Among the other states that Biden 
and administration officials will be visiting in the weeks ahead are Georgia, 
Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Wisconsin -- crucial battlegrounds that 
Biden won in 2020 and states expected to be competitive again in 2024.