Beijing, Oct. 20 — China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized recent claims by the United States that Chinese garlic poses a “major threat” to U.S. food security, a statement that has been met with ridicule by Chinese netizens.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Mao Ning addressed reports that U.S. Senator Rick Scott issued a statement labeling Chinese garlic as a significant threat to U.S. food safety, calling for a Section 301 investigation. Additionally, the U.S. House of Representatives has reviewed and passed the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025,” which includes provisions to ban the sale of Chinese garlic in U.S. military stores.
“It is believed that garlic probably has never imagined it could pose a major threat to the U.S.,” Mao remarked, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
She noted a growing trend in the United States of labeling Chinese products — from drones and cranes to refrigerators and now garlic — as “national security risks.” Mao suggested that none of the reasons cited by U.S. politicians could withstand scrutiny.
“It is clear to all that such actions are merely a pretext for the U.S. to pursue protectionism, abuse state power to suppress and contain China’s development, and push for the decoupling and disruption of industrial and supply chains,” she stated.
Mao warned that overstretching the concept of national security and politicizing economic, trade, and technological issues would only exacerbate risks to the global production and supply chain, ultimately harming people worldwide.
She urged U.S. politicians to “show more rationality and common sense to avoid becoming laughingstocks.”
The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between China and the United States over trade and security issues, with ordinary products like garlic becoming the latest focal point in a complex geopolitical landscape.
Reference(s):
Spokesperson: Garlic not imagined as a major threat to the U.S.
cgtn.com
