US 2024 election: Chinese-Americans launch group backing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz
America’s top trade official among those hailing Democratic presidential candidate as ally of community that could prove a swing bloc
“What we have on the ticket are two dragons,” said US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at the two-hour Zoom launch event, noting that both Harris and Walz were born in the lunar year of the dragon.
“It is hard to be Chinese-American in America,” Tai said. “There is a level of scrutiny that is placed on our community by virtue of our origin stories, our names.”
“This is something that this community may get particularly and feel particularly strongly: an extra set of responsibilities in order to feel like we are proving ourselves as Americans,” she added, saying Harris saw Chinese-Americans as “integral” to the country’s fabric.
The group is co-chaired by US Democratic senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois along with House Democrats Grace Meng of New York and Judy Chu and Ted Lieu of California. It aims to register Chinese-American voters, activate volunteers, raise funds and neutralise disinformation.
