Tim Walz’s China travel business was dissolved due to unpaid $26 tax, raising concerns about his management skills.
At a Glance
- House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer is launching an investigation into Minnesota Governor Timothy Walz.
- The investigation focuses on Walz’s longstanding connections to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) entities and officials.
- Walz’s business, arranging trips to China, was dissolved due to a minor unpaid tax.
- Concerns arise over Walz’s potential CCP influence in decision-making as governor.
Business Dissolved Over Minor Tax
Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota, faced the dissolution of his China travel consulting business due to an unpaid $26 tax. The company, which organized trips to China, failed to clear a minor tax obligation, leading to its official closure. This minor lapse in administrative duties raises questions about Walz’s capacity to manage details and finances, particularly given his substantial public duties. The incident puts his broader governance skills under scrutiny, potentially influencing public perception and trust in his leadership abilities.
Walz’s dissolved business is not an isolated issue. Upon deeper inspection, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer has launched an investigation into Walz’s longstanding connections to entities and officials linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This exploration is set in motion amidst concerns of potential Chinese influence within U.S. governmental operations, particularly those involving leaders like Walz.
House Committee Investigation
The House Committee’s investigation, spearheaded by Chairman Comer, stems from numerous visits Walz made to China, alongside his affiliations with Chinese institutions tied to the CCP. Comer has called for FBI Director Christopher Wray to provide information on any engagements Walz has had with CCP-connected entities, seeking clarity on FBI warnings about CCP influence operations. The FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force is already investigating similar activities by the CCP.
“The CCP has sought to destroy the United States through coordinated influence and infiltration campaigns that target every aspect of American life, including our own elected officials. Americans should be deeply concerned that Governor Walz, Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential running mate, has a longstanding and cozy relationship with China. Mr. Walz has visited China dozens of times, served as a fellow at a Chinese institution that maintains a devotion to the CCP, and spoke alongside the President of a Chinese organization the State Department exposed as a CCP effort to influence and co-opt local leaders. FBI briefers recently informed the Committee that the Bureau’s Foreign Influence Task Force investigates CCP activity that is similar to China’s engagement with Governor Walz. The American people deserve to fully understand how deep Governor Walz’s relationship with China goes,” said Chairman James Comer.
In defense of Walz, his team emphasizes his clear stance against the CCP and his advocacy for human rights. Walz has co-sponsored legislation taking a firm stance on China and has met with prominent figures opposed by Beijing. This includes the Dalai Lama and Joshua Wong, which his team argues highlights his commitment to human rights and democratic principles.
Tim Walz spent his honeymoon in China. Fascinating thread about Harris' VP pick and his experiences with China over the decades. https://t.co/4roRRwifCv
— Isaac Stone Fish (@isaacstonefish) August 6, 2024
Walz’s Extensive Ties to China
Walz’s history with China is extensive. His first visit was in 1989 as part of Harvard University’s WorldTeach program, followed by a year teaching English and U.S. history at Foshan No. 1 Middle School in southern China. Over the years, he has made approximately 30 trips to China, often leading Minnesota high school students on summer trips. In the 1990s, he organized student trips to China funded by the Chinese government and ran his travel coordinating business until 2003.
The business’s dissolution due to unpaid taxes, coupled with ongoing investigations, casts doubt on Walz’s management capabilities and judgment. Experts argue that his first-hand experience with China could be an asset in U.S.-China relations, yet there remains the potential for increased scrutiny and criticism due to the rising geopolitical tensions.
Walz’s nomination as Vice President Harris’s running mate further intensifies the examination of his conduct and connections. The Chinese government has notably remained silent, reflecting a wait-and-see approach regarding the U.S. election outcome. Nonetheless, Republicans have already labeled Walz as pro-China and have fiercely criticized his affiliations.
