Strengthening U.S.‑China Relations Starts at the Local Level
by Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken
Throughout Sioux Falls’ history, our economy has looked outward to sell our goods—especially our agricultural commodities. Today, our region ships fire trucks, display boards, prepackaged food, and ag products all over the world. Sioux Falls is part of the global marketplace and there is a multitude of opportunities to expand our reach.
I recently returned from the inaugural mayoral delegation trip with the U.S. Heartland China Association. Along with three other mayors, we each had the opportunity to promote our hometowns and hold productive conversations with current and future partners. Through conversations at the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, government leaders in Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shenzhen, and numerous private business tours, I was able to discuss the unique advantages of Sioux Falls as well as why these leaders should keep Sioux Falls in discussions that often only focus on major population centers along the coasts.
For many of those I met, this was their first introduction to Sioux Falls. The message from the delegation and me was that the workforce and innovation needed for business and cultural relationship success lives in the U.S. Heartland. I accomplished my goal of strengthening relationships with Chinese municipalities and promoting business partnerships with Midwest communities.
There were several key takeaways, but a few I want to highlight that specifically affect our city as we discuss strong United States-China relations.
First, the trade tensions with China affect us all. Every business I talked with—from drone manufacturers to poultry processors—discussed their desire to see a swift end to these trade tensions. For South Dakota, our agricultural community has felt this impact more than any other population. The sooner it is resolved, the better it will be for the Sioux Falls and South Dakota economies. I know our federal delegation is working very diligently on this matter, and I am confident in a timely resolution.
Second, it is time that Sioux Falls looks at developing deeper, more consistent relationships with key Chinese communities and businesses. Both the city leaders of Guangzhou and Shenzhen—with populations of 20 million each—expressed interest in forming some government partnership between Sioux Falls and one of their city districts. These relationships are critical first steps in establishing both trust and economic partnerships between our communities. One of our largest employers—Smithfield Foods—is owned by a Chinese parent company, and my office has had several other discussions with business development opportunities that have Chinese ownership ties. The Sioux Falls economy would strengthen via stronger cultural and business relations with key Chinese partners.
Finally, the people of China are good people. In each community, I was welcomed with warmth and gratitude from the municipal and business leaders. They are hungry for relationships, partnerships, cultural exchanges, and collaboration that could benefit both countries. It was also clear that for the Chinese, relationships come first and business comes second. Forming these friendships and partnerships with key Chinese allies is the first step toward more economic opportunities.
Throughout my week of meetings with Chinese leaders across a variety of sectors, I was again reminded that many of the problems as well as their solutions exist at the city level. I am excited to see how these new relationships will help Sioux Falls grow both culturally and economically. The world is full of opportunities for Sioux Falls, and we are capable of capitalizing on them.
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I, for one, welcome our communist, concentration camp loving, surveillance state, mass murdering overlords.
China has a one child policy and harvests organs from prisoners and muslims. Why is Tenhaken interested in anything with China?
Preach.
I’m convinced that nearly every action in D.C. right now is to distract from local politics and provide cover to install the new Chinese style surveillance architecture, 5G.
The promulgation of the monopoly relies on information asymmetry.
The SF Mayor and Thune are lock-step.
He does know that most of what he saw the government over there wanted him to see right? Sounds like the propaganda office did it’s job
Part of our delegation itinerary was to visit numerous private sector business, including an IoT circuit breaker company, the largest electric vehicle maker in Asia, DJI drones, a large poultry processor, and others. While we certainly heard from government officials, we also heard from private industry on why it’s important for our economies to figure out how we can work effectively together. As more and more Chinese owned companies look at Sioux Falls, having a mutual cultural/business understanding is critical.
I don’t have a problem with the trip or considerations of deeper business connections, but we should do it with a full understanding that “private sector” doesn’t mean a whole lot in China.
Agree.
And now it is his turn to turn the propaganda machine on us knowing exactly what he is doing.
Paid for by Bloomberg. This site promotes PTH as a Republican. Does this site support Bloomberg ?
Is there even private industry in China? My understanding is if you don’t bow to the State you’re not in business anymore.
Looking for Chinese investment? Where is Joop Bollen when you need him? Oh, that’s right…
“The Communist Party wants to stay in power in China, and they listen to the public,” Bloomberg said. “Xi Jinping is not a dictator. He has to satisfy his constituents, or he’s not going to survive.”
Paul Tenhaken sounds a bit like a useful idiot.
China isnt exactly what we should be looming towards when wanting to create new businesses in Sioux Falls or South Dakota as a whole.
How about supporting American ran and owned businesses? We dont need any more Chinese products or businesses here and we definitely should not be trying to prop up communist countries using American dollars any longer. What exactly is Tenhaken thinking?! (Globalist)
*looking
I hope he stood with Hong Kong.
It’s a horrifying thought that, as China brutalizes the “free people” of Hong Kong, we have local representatives whose municipal systems have been integrated with the Chinese-laden federal government after the implementation of the Patriot act paling around in China.
How about we here in the US learn to be more self sufficient and responsibly manage our own resources as opposed to selling them out to globalist China? Who elected these Mayors? Was anyone watching the polls?
That would be a wise thing – learn to be more self sufficient…
China could shut off the Philippines’ power grid at will, a report has warned – highlighting fears about Beijing’s role in infrastructure around the world. A report for Philippine lawmakers found that the country’s national security ‘is completely compromised’ by China’s access to the power grid.
Chinese engineers have exclusive access to parts of the system and could shut it down remotely, the report seen by CNN reveals. The findings will spark alarm in the West where China is helping to build a new nuclear power station in the UK and has already faced sanctions from the US.
“Chinese engineers have exclusive access to parts of the system and could shut it down remotely”
The Chinese (or anyone else) would have remote access to weaponized wireless if 5G is allowed to go forward.
WTH is/was Senator Thune thinking?
“Good thing Spearfish is safe from democracy”
This is valid satire.
We should really be focused more on our own civic systems. We should be discussing politics, religion, and money as a matter of course, not banning them in a strange social tradition.
I swear to God if Pat posted an article about every South Dakotan getting a free ice cream cone… one of you lunatics would bitch about the ice cream headaches that are happening. Holy moses. You’re all the problem. You’re not convincing anybody to your side.
I repeat – no matter what opinion you take. You’re the problem. Go find something nice to say about somebody. Anybody.
Dear Brad;
I’m not interested in creating an echo chamber.
Why bother writing something that doesn’t contribute another perspective, opposing point of view, or antithesis?
Think about it ..
“Hey ice cream is good.”
“Yeah, I like ice cream.”
“Ice cream is cold and sweet and that is why I like it.”
“I’m lactose intolerant. You don’t want me to have ice cream.”
“Why do you have to be so negative.”
“It’s not a matter of negativity, it’s a matter of flatus.”
I like that Pat has comments sections. It’s smart. This is where the 1st Amendment lives, and contrary opinions are a great way to learn about an issue.
Sincerely,
John
Governor Noem’s selection of representatives/senators is the exception, not the rule, and a necessary invocation of gubernatorial power during election gaps created by unexpected secession of elected officials. It’s a workaround until a legitimate election can be held.