Tag: Prohibits

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Biden prohibits U.S. funding in 59 Chinese language firms

Biden prohibits U.S. investment in 59 Chinese companies

United States President Joe Biden speaks during a commemoration ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre at the Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 1, 2021.

Almond Ngan | AFP | Getty Images

President Joe Biden on Thursday expanded restrictions on American investments in certain Chinese companies with alleged links to the country’s military and surveillance efforts, adding more companies to a growing blacklist.

In an executive order, Biden banned US investors for fear of ties to the Chinese government’s geopolitical ambitions, thereby continuing some parts of former President Donald Trump’s tough stance in talks with Beijing.

“This EO enables the United States to specifically and enrichingly prohibit US investments in Chinese companies that undermine the security or democratic values ​​of the United States and our allies,” a White House press release said.

The move will prevent US dollars from supporting the “Chinese defense sector” while expanding the US government’s ability to counter the threat posed by Chinese surveillance technology firms that – both inside and outside of China – monitor religious or ethnic minorities contribute to or otherwise facilitate repression and serious human rights violations, “added the government.

The 59 excluded companies include Aero Engine Corp. of China, Aerosun Corp., Fujian Torch Electron Technology and Huawei Technologies.

The bans go into effect on August 2 at 00:01 a.m. ET.

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The move is one of the strongest yet against its leading U.S. rival, and yet another sign that the Biden administration could adopt or advance many of the Trump administration’s tactics to stay competitive with China.

Biden and his economic advisors also need to decide what to do with a range of tariffs and whether to increase sanctions against Chinese officials involved in the mass incarceration of mainly Muslim ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region.

A representative from the Chinese State Department challenged the move by the Biden administration, telling press officials that the Trump administration’s original order was carried out “in complete disregard for the facts.”

“The US should respect the rule of law and the market, correct its mistakes and stop actions that undermine the global financial market order and the legitimate rights and interests of investors,” said spokesman Wang Wenbin to reporters in Beijing.

The previous order of the Trump administration created a list of 48 companies.

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Politics

Biden Administration Prohibits Well being Care Discrimination vs. Transgender Individuals

Biden Administration Prohibits Health Care Discrimination vs. Transgender People

The Biden government announced Monday that health care providers cannot discriminate against transgender people. This is the latest step in President Biden’s efforts to restore civil rights protection to LGBTQ people who were eliminated by his predecessor.

Under the new directive, the Department of Health and Human Services will once again ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity by health organizations that receive federal funding.

The move will reverse a policy passed by HHS under President Donald J. Trump that the anti-discrimination provisions of the Affordable Care Act 2010 do not apply to transgender people. This move was welcomed by the social conservatives and sharply criticized by supporters of homosexual rights.

“Fear of discrimination can lead people to forego care, which can have serious negative health consequences,” said Xavier Becerra, Minister of Health for Mr Biden, in a statement. “It is the position of the Department of Health and Human Services that everyone – including LGBTQ people – should have access to medical care that is free from discrimination or interference.”

The move is part of a broader effort by the President to include lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queer and respondents – and especially transgender people – in protection against discrimination. In his first address at a joint congressional session last month, Mr. Biden pledged his support for the Gender Equality Act, which would expand civil rights laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

“To all the transgender Americans who watch at home, especially the young people, you are so brave,” Biden said in his speech. “I want you to know your president has your back.”

Administrative officials said the new policy was based on a Supreme Court ruling last summer in which judges said civil rights laws protect LGBTQ workers from discrimination in the workplace.

The health department’s new approach doesn’t cover employment, but officials cited the Supreme Court’s decision as support for the change. They said the department’s civil rights office would interpret the anti-discrimination provisions of the Affordable Care Act to mean that “(1) discrimination based on sexual orientation; and (2) gender identity discrimination. “

The new interpretation applies to “covered health programs or activities” that include doctors, hospitals and other health organizations that receive public funding.

“Our department’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of all Americans, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation,” said Dr. Rachel Levine, the division’s assistant health secretary and the senior transgender officer in the Biden administration.

“All people need access to health services to repair a broken bone, protect their heart health, and check for cancer risk,” she said. “Nobody should be discriminated against when seeking medical services because they are who they are.”