US senators urge Biden to impose China Travel Ban, citing health concerns

A group of Republican senators, led by Marco Rubio, has written to President Joe Biden, urging a travel ban between the United States and China due to an unknown respiratory illness rapidly spreading in China. The senators cite concerns about China’s transparency, referencing the Chinese Communist Party’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also requested comprehensive information from China regarding the recent surge in respiratory illnesses and pneumonia clusters among children.

In the letter, Senators Rubio, JD Vance, Rick Scott, Tommy Tuberville, and Mike Braun emphasize the need to protect Americans and the economy by taking immediate action. They express skepticism about the WHO’s ability to address the situation effectively, given its past deference to the Chinese government. The senators defend former President Donald Trump’s early travel restrictions from China during the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that history and common sense validate the decision.

We asked Biden to ban travel to and from China until we know more about this “mystery pneumonia” outbreak https://t.co/eeufkufVII

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 1, 2023

Responding to the senators’ concerns, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi downplays the situation, characterizing the rise in respiratory illnesses as a global issue under effective control in China. He reassures that China’s interactions with the international community will remain unaffected.

This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between U.S. lawmakers and China over public health issues and raises questions about the balance between protecting public health and maintaining international relations.