By Eric Stock
PEORIA – U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, said he hopes the world’s two biggest economies can work together better to expand business opportunities here in the United States.
The freshman GOP lawmaker has been named co-chair of the U.S China Working Group.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with LaHood on WJBC.
“The global economy is down right now, there is no doubt, but it is going to come back,” LaHood said.
He told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin he hopes improved relations could help Peoria-based Caterpillar, which has more than a dozen factories in China, but has downsized as demand for construction equipment has diminished worldwide.
Congress created the bi-partisan group in 2005 to improve relations between the nation’s two largest economies.
China is the United States’ third largest export market and its biggest source of imports, making China the second largest U.S. trading partner. LaHood says while the U-S doesn’t see eye-to-eye with China on its cyber-attacks or human rights violations, but LaHood tells WJBC’s Scott Laughlin his main focus will be on economic issues.
Presidential race
Polls in Illinois show Donald Trump maintaining his stronghold in the Republican presidential race, but LaHood, a Marco Rubio supporter, expects the race to tighten over the pivotal next few weeks.
“This is a very fluid situation,” LaHood said. “I think this is a two-person race. I think (Ted) Cruz is falling and I think it’s going to be Trump and Rubio. From my perspective, if you put the two head-to-head, I think Rubio is going to win.
LaHood said these next few weeks leading up to the Illinois primary in mid-March will go a long way toward deciding the winner. Illinois’ primary in March 15.
LaHood added he would support Trump if he wins the nomination, saying the weakest GOP nominee is still better than the alternative.
LaHood is co-chair of Rubio’s Illinois campaign.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
