Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has made questionable remarks regarding China, applauding the country for using threats of prison or organ harvesting to meet its green energy goals. These comments have raised concerns from experts, who have called them "dangerously naive."
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s recent comments on China have sparked controversy. In a 2014 interview, Kennedy praised China for its "very serious" approach to clean energy, suggesting that they may resort to threats of prison or organ harvesting to enforce their goals. These remarks have garnered widespread criticism, with many questioning Kennedy's understanding of China and its human rights record.
Kennedy's comments came on the heels of the Obama administration's announcement in 2014 that it aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26% to 28% by 2025 compared to 2005 levels. Simultaneously, China announced it aimed to increase its non-fossil fuel share of all energy to around 20% by 2030.
Kennedy lauded President Barack Obama's climate policies, particularly the power plant rule that allowed the EPA and states to regulate CO2. However, when asked how China would abide by the non-binding Paris Agreement, Kennedy speculated that province governors would face jail time or organ harvesting if they failed to implement climate policies.
"They lose their jobs and they, you know, they get punished... and any kind of advancement they have gets stopped if they don't fulfill these quotas," Kennedy said. "And China is already starting down this road."
Kennedy's praise of China's solar energy production also raised eyebrows, as he acknowledged that it had driven down prices and "virtually" ended American manufacturing of solar panels.
"When they [China] do it, it actually gets done," Kennedy said.
These comments have been met with strong criticism from experts. Retired Army Colonel John Mills called them "almost dangerously naive as to the malign behavior of China."
"He has strong opinions on the virus and the vaccine. Well, where does he think the virus came from? It's kind of incongruent," Mills said.
Kennedy, the son of late U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, announced his run for president last year as a Democrat but later switched to become an Independent candidate. He currently has 16% support in polls, behind Trump and Biden, who each have 37%.
Kennedy has also made controversial remarks about the U.S.'s relationship with China, arguing that the U.S. should "de-escalate" military tensions and "back off militarily."
"The Chinese cannot and do not want to compete with us militarily," Kennedy said. "We think the world is on our side, but it isn't."
These remarks have also been criticized by experts, who argue that they underestimate the threat posed by China and its increasing military presence.
Kennedy's campaign has defended his comments on China, stating that the current policy of confrontation is putting Taiwan at greater risk. However, they did not address the 2014 comments on "organ harvesting."
