Tom Cotton on Foreign Policy

We must end our economic dependence on China

We must end our economic dependence on China

Buy strategically-important Greenland, to block China

Cotton said Greenland's mineral reserves and its strategic location make it an ideal strategy move for the U.S., noting that such reasons are why President Harry Truman offered $100 million in the 1940s. Cotton said that Greenland's "economic potential is untold," and the island is "vital to our national security."

Cotton said in 2018 the Chinese government sought to essentially bribe the local government of Greenland into allowing it to build three military bases there. But efforts by Trump administration and some in Congress convinced Denmark to weigh in at the last minute and block the deal, Cotton said.

"I told the president you should buy it as well," Cotton said, adding later that "He's (Trump) heard that from me and from some other people as well."

Condemn China's organ harvesting from Falun Gong prisoners.

RESOLUTION expressing concern over persistent and credible reports of systematic, state-sanctioned organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners of conscience, in the People`s Republic of China, including from large numbers of Falun Gong practitioners imprisoned for their religious beliefs, and members of other religious and ethnic minority groups.

• Whereas the People`s Republic of China performs more than10,000 organ transplantations per year;
• Whereas the Department of State Country Report on Human Rights for China for 2011 reported `instances of organ harvesting, particularly from Falun Gong practitioners and Uighurs`;
• Whereas the People`s Republic of China implemented regulations in 1984 that permitted the harvesting of organs from executed prisoners;
• Whereas Falun Gong, a spiritual practice involving meditative exercises, with the number of practitioners upwards of 70,000,000;
• Whereas in July 1999, the Chinese Communist Party launched an intensive, nationwide persecution designed to eradicate the spiritual practice of Falun Gong

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
1. calls on the Government of the People`s Republic of China to immediately end the practice of organ harvesting from all prisoners, and particularly from Falun Gong prisoners of conscience and members of other religious and ethnic minority groups;
2. calls for a full and transparent investigation into organ transplant practices;
3. demands an immediate end to the 14-year persecution of the Falun Gong spiritual practice;
4. recommends that the United States State Department issue a travel warning for US citizens traveling to China for organ transplants informing them that the organ source for their operation may be a prisoner of conscience; and
5. recommends that the US Government publicly condemn organ transplantation abuses in China and ban the entry of those who have participated in illegal removal of human tissues and organs.

Disallow Palestine from joining ICC to threaten Israel.

Excerpts from Letter from 73 Senators to Secretary of State Kerry We are deeply concerned by the decision of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to seek membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC), because the Palestinian Authority is not a state and its express intent is to use this process to threaten Israel.

Pres. Abbas` effort contravene the spirit of earlier agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and erodes the prospect for peace. Therefore, the US must make clear that joining the ICC is not a legitimate or viable path for Palestinians.

Israel is a major strategic partner of the US and is facing increasing pressure from those who seek to delegitimize its very existence. The only realistic and sustainable path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Supporting argument: (Heritage Foundation, `U.S. Should Not Join the ICC,` Aug. 18, 2009): The ICC prosecutor is exploring a request by the Palestinian National Authority to prosecute Israeli commanders for alleged war crimes committed during the recent actions in Gaza. Palestinian lawyers maintain that the Palestinian National Authority can request ICC jurisdiction as the de facto sovereign even though it is not an internationally recognized state. By countenancing Palestine`s claims, the ICC prosecutor has enabled pressure to be applied to Israel over alleged war crimes, while ignoring Hamas`s incitement of the military action and its commission of war crimes against Israeli civilians. Furthermore, by seemingly recognizing Palestine as a sovereign entity, the prosecutor`s action has created a pathway for Palestinian statehood without first reaching a comprehensive peace deal with Israel. This determination is an inherently political issue beyond the ICC`s authority.

Move US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem; recognize as cap.

Congressional Summary: States that it is US policy to recognize Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, and that the US Embassy in Israel should be established in Jerusalem by 2017.

Supporters reasons for voting YEA: (Times of Israel ): Congressional legislation would force the Obama administration to change longstanding US policy and move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The bill challenges presidential authority on a key foreign policy question. The bill strikes the language in the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 that gave the president waiver authority to delay the move. Every president since Bill Clinton has signed a presidential waiver every six months in order to keep the embassy in Tel Aviv, citing concerns that a move to Jerusalem would upset the prospects for a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1980, but the US, like all other countries, maintains its embassy in Tel Aviv.

Opponents reasons for voting NAY: (The Morning Call, April 16, 1984) The Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and the National Association of Arab Americans (NAAA) have begun a `multifaceted protest` opposing moving the US. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel annexed East Jerusalem from Jordan after capturing it in the 1967 war but assured free access to religious shrines. The nations of the Arab League argue that the Israelis are in Jerusalem as an `army of occupation` and they have never recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. One compromise would be the placement of the American Consulate in Jerusalem with the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. Secretary of State George P. Shultz cautioned that a relocation `would fan Islamic extremism, possibly inciting a wave of violence against our citizens, diplomats and installations in the region.`

Two-state solution despite Israeli settlements on West Bank.

Congressional Summary: S.Res.6/H.Res.11 objects to U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334, which characterizes Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as illegal and demands cessation of settlement activities.

• Calls for such resolution to be repealed or fundamentally altered and allows all final status issues toward a two-state solution to be resolved through direct bilateral negotiations between the parties.
• Notes that granting membership and statehood standing to the Palestinians at the UN, its specialized agencies, and other international institutions outside of the context of a bilateral peace agreement with Israel would cause severe harm to the peace process.
• Urges upholding the U.S. practice of vetoing all Security Council resolutions that recognize unilateral Palestinian actions or dictate terms and a time line for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to seek a sustainable, just, and secure two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Opposing argument: (Cato Institute, Dec. 19, 2003): In principle, separation seems the best answer to stop the killing. For this reason, a security fence makes sense--if it actually separates Jew from Arab. Unfortunately, to protect a number of disparate Israeli settlements erected in the midst of Palestinian communities, Israel currently is mixing Jew and Arab and separating Arab from Arab. Thus are sown the seeds for conflict. After 36 years of occupation, the land remains almost exclusively Arab. The limited Jewish presence is the result of conscious colonization. The settlements require a pervasive Israeli military occupation, imposing a de facto system of apartheid. Separation offers the only hope, but separation requires dismantling Israeli settlements.

Sponsored bill to monitor forced Uyghur labor in Xinjiang.

Legislative summary: The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act:

• Requires corporations to prove with `clear and convincing evidence` that any products imported into the US and sourced from Xinjiang (XUAR) are not made with forced labor.
• Determine whether forced labor is `widespread and systematic and therefore constitutes atrocities.`
• List Chinese entities that use the forced labor of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities.
• List products made by forced labor in the XUAR and a list of businesses that sold such products in the US.
• Sanctions for any foreign person who `knowingly engages` in the forced labor of Uyghurs in the XUAR.

  Statement in support by Sen. Cruz: Sen. Ted Cruz joined Sen. Marco Rubio in introducing H.R.6210 to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for the use of force labor. `The Chinese Communist Party has transformed Xinjiang into a technological dystopia and a human rights horror,` Sen. Cruz said. `Time and time again from the CCP we see the complete and total disregard for human life and values..`

  Statement in opposition in Washington Post: Researchers estimate the Chinese government has placed more than 1 million people into internment camps in Xinjiang. While US law already prevents companies from importing goods that were made using forced labor, the law is seldom enforced. Apple is heavily dependent on Chinese manufacturing; alleged forced Uighur labor has been used in Apple`s supply chain. A report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute alleged four instances in which labor from the Xinjiang region has been connected to Apple`s supply chain: In 2017, the Chinese government transferred between 1,000 and 2,000 Uighurs to work at a factory owned by O-Film, which helps make selfie cameras for Apple`s iPhone.

  Legislative outcome: Passed House 406 3-22,(2/3 required) Roll no. 196 on 09/22/2020.

  Source: H.R.6210/S.3471 20-HR6210 on Mar 11, 2020

  Ban imports from Xinjiang made by Uyghur forced labor.

  Cotton co-sponsored Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

  Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (H.R.6256 and S.65): To ensure that goods made with forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People`s Republic of China do not enter the United States market. This bill imposes importation limits on goods produced using forced labor in China, and imposes sanctions related to such forced labor. The bill also expands existing asset- and visa-blocking sanctions related to Xinjiang to cover foreign individuals and entities responsible for serious human rights abuses in connection with forced labor.

  Al Jazeera news, `Biden signs law banning goods made in China`s Xinjiang region,` 12/23/21: President Joe Biden signed a new law banning products made in China`s Xinjiang region because of China`s oppression of its largely Muslim Uighur minority population. The law imposes a near-blanket ban on the import to the US of goods from Xinjiang by requiring suppliers to first prove their products were not made with forced labour. Xinjiang is a large supplier of cotton and solar panels.

  UN experts have estimated that more than one million people, mainly Uighurs, have been imprisoned in recent years in a vast system of camps in Xinjiang. The US and many rights groups have called it `genocide`.

  China has rejected allegations of abuse in Xinjiang, accusing countries and rights organisations of launching `slanderous attacks` about conditions for Muslim Uighurs in the far western region. An independent UK-based tribunal ruled last week the Chinese government had committed genocide, crimes against humanity and torture of Uighurs and other minorities. The US cited the situation in Xinjiang in a decision earlier this month to launch a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing.

  Legislative Outcome: Introduced in House and passed by voice vote on 12/14/2021; passed Senate by Unanimous Consent on 12/16/2021; signed by President on 12/23/2021.

  Source: S.65/H.R.6256 21-HR6256 on Dec 14, 2021

  Click here for definitions & background information on Foreign Policy. Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Tom Cotton. Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Tom Cotton. Click here for SenateMatch quiz answers by Tom Cotton. Click here for a summary of Tom Cotton's positions on all issues. Click here for issue positions of other AR politicians. Click here for issue statements from AR primary archives. Click here for issue statements from AR secondary archives.
  Other candidates on Foreign Policy:		Tom Cotton on other issues:
  AR Gubernatorial: Anthony Bland Chris Jones Fredrick Love Leslie Rutledge Ricky Dale Harrington Sarah Huckabee Sanders Tim Griffin AR Senatorial: Dan Whitfield Ethan Dunbar Hallie Shoffner Jake Bequette John Boozman Natalie James AR politicians AR Archives	Senate races 2026: AK: Dan Sullivan(R,incumbent) vs.Andy Barr(R) vs.Mary Peltola(D) AL: Tommy Tuberville(R,retiring) vs.Barry Moore(R) vs.Steve Marshall(R) vs.Kyle Sweetser(R) AR: Tom Cotton(R,incumbent) vs.Dan Whitfield(I,withdrew) vs.Hallie Shoffner(D) vs.Ethan Dunbar(D,lost primary) CO: John Hickenlooper(D,incumbent) vs.Janak Joshi(R) vs.Julie Gonzales(D) vs.Mark Baisley(R) DE: Chris Coons(D,incumbent) vs.Mike Katz(I) FL: Ashley Moody(R,appointee) vs.Alan Grayson(D) vs.Angie Nixon(D) vs.Alex Vindman(D) GA: Jon Ossoff(D,incumbent) vs.Buddy Carter(R) vs.Mike Collins(R) vs.John F. King(R,withdrew) IA: Joni Ernst(R,retiring) vs.Ashley Hinson(R) vs.Jim Carlin(R) vs.Bob Krause(D) vs.Josh Turek(D) vs.Zach Wahls(D) vs.J.D. Scholten(D,withdrew) ID: Jim Risch(R,incumbent) vs.David Roth(D) vs.Todd Achilles(I) IL: Richard Durbin(D,retiring) vs.Juliana Stratton(D) vs.Raja Krishnamoorthi(D) vs.Robin Kelly(D) vs.Don Tracy(R) KS: Roger Marshall(R,incumbent) vs.Patrick Schmidt(D) KY: Mitch McConnell(R,retiring) vs.Andy Barr(R) vs.Nate Morris(R) vs.Daniel Cameron(R) vs.Charles Booker(D) vs.Pamela Stevenson(D) LA: Bill Cassidy(R,incumbent) vs.John Fleming(R) vs.Julia Letlow(R) vs.Jamie Davis(D) MA: Ed Markey(D,incumbent) vs.Seth Moulton(D) vs.John Deaton(R) vs.Shiva Ayyadurai(I) ME: Susan Collins(R,incumbent) vs.Janet Mills(D) vs.Graham Platner(D) MI: Gary Peters(D,retiring) vs.Haley Stevens(D) vs.Mallory McMorrow(D) vs.Mike Rogers(R) vs.Abdul El-Sayed(D) vs.Joe Tate(R,withdrew)	MN: Tina Smith(D,retiring) vs.Angie Craig(D) vs.David Hann(R) vs.Peggy Flanagan(D) vs.Royce White(R) vs.Michele Tafoya(R) MS: Cindy Hyde-Smith(R,incumbent) vs.Scott Colom(D) vs.Ty Pinkins(D then I) MT: Steve Daines(R,retiring) vs.Kurt Alme(R) vs.Reilly Neill(D) vs.Seth Bodnar(I) NC: Thom Tillis(R,retiring) vs.Michael Whatley(R) vs.Roy Cooper(D) vs.Wiley Nickel(D,running for D.A.) NE: Peter Ricketts(R,incumbent) Cindy Burbank(D) vs.Dan Osborn(I) NH: Jeanne Shaheen(D,retiring) vs.Chris Pappas(D) vs.John Sununu(R) vs.Scott Brown(R) NJ: Cory Booker(D,incumbent) vs.Justin Murphy(R) NM: Ben Ray Lujan(D,incumbent) vs.Matt Dodson(D) OH: Jon Husted(R,appointee) vs.Sherrod Brown(D) OK: Markwayne Mullin(R,appointed to Cabinet) vs.Kevin Hern(R) vs.Troy Green(D) vs.Ervin Yen(I) OR: Jeff Merkley(D,incumbent) vs.Jo Rae Perkins(R) vs.David Brock Smith(R) RI: Jack Reed(D,incumbent) vs.Connor Burbridge(D) SC: Lindsey Graham(R,incumbent) vs.Catherine Fleming Bruce(D) vs.Paul Dans(R) vs.Annie Andrews(D) SD: Mike Rounds(R,incumbent) vs.Julian Beaudion(D) vs.Brian Bengs(I) TN: Bill Hagerty(R,incumbent) vs.Marquita Bradshaw(D) vs.Diana Onyejiaka(D) TX: John Cornyn(R,incumbent) vs.Ken Paxton(R) vs.James Talarico(D) vs.Wesley Hunt(R,lost primary) vs.Jasmine Crockett(D,lost primary) VA: Mark Warner(D,incumbent) vs.David Williams(R) WV: Shelley Moore Capito(R,incumbent) vs.Tom Willis(R) Rachel Fetty Anderson(D) vs.Jeff Kessler(D,lost primary) vs.Zach Shrewsbury(D,lost primary) WY: Cynthia Lummis(R,retiring) vs.Harriet Hageman(R) vs.Reid Rasner(R) vs.James Byrd(D)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare Other Senators Congressional Votes (analysis) Congressional Ratings Affiliations Policy Reports Page last updated: May 18, 2026; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org