Newsom’s only stumble in China

Oct 31, 2023

Presented by California Resources Corporation

California Gov. Gavin Newsom chats with attendees at a reception during a visit to the Mutianyu Great Wall on the outskirts of Beijing, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. | AP

THE BUZZ: Gov. Gavin Newsom made the biggest foreign policy foray of his political career during his recent 10-day visit to China and Israel. He managed the trip without any major gaffes, aside from his tumble on a basketball court.

He returned home Sunday night having achieved his primary stated aim of signing new climate agreements with the Chinese government. He also emerged with a more detailed foreign policy resume that could be a boon if he ever pursues national office.

Five of our California team’s key takeaways from the Democratic governor’s time abroad:

1. He helped set the table for Biden and Xi: Newsom’s visit to China came during a crucial moment for U.S.-China relations. After months of escalating tensions, President Joe Biden’s administration has sought to at least turn down the volume. The U.S. president is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Bay Area next month, against the backdrop of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. Newsom’s visit helped smooth relations heading into a meeting that will undoubtedly be tense. The governor briefly met with Xi and was warmly received by a host of Beijing’s elite. Glowing coverage in state-run media suggested the Chinese government was eager to portray the visit in the best light possible.

2. He looked like a global figure: The trip was only Newsom's second international junket in his official capacity as governor. He managed to avoid any major diplomatic missteps or extra messy headlines. Newsom’s sit-down with Xi alone was a strong indicator of the political heft he carries abroad. That could bode well for California’s efforts to shape U.S. policy on climate and tech regulation — issues stalled by partisan gridlock in Washington.

3. He faced criticism — but he knew he would: Newsom’s trip was heavily criticized by GOP members of Congress and pundits who accused him of cozying up to the communist government at a time when Chinese dominance of certain tech sectors and supply chains is widely perceived as a national security risk. He got flack from the right and the left for not more vocally criticizing China’s long list of human rights violations and lack of democracy. Other critics mocked his stopover in Israel as a photo-op. But Newsom made his trip to China knowing there would be detractors. He didn’t seem to mind and leaned into his globalist view on Chinese relations.

4. He set a non-hawkish tone: Newsom outlined his view of a U.S. relationship focused on cooperation on the climate crisis, technology and trade opportunities. That’s a stark contrast to the prevailing rhetoric on Capitol Hill, where many Democrats and Republicans are sharply critical of Beijing. Newsom’s team said before the trip that he wouldn’t focus on a host of federal concerns, such as human rights abuses or the suppression of freedoms. He did, however, say he talked about China’s role in the fentanyl supply chain with Xi. He also brought up some of those other issues during meetings with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zhen, including pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong and the country’s claim to Taiwan. Newsom made only a passing reference to those issues, at least in his public comments. He mostly made the case that partnership with China is crucial to addressing an existential threat. “We need to take the temperature down. You can count on California to be a stable partner and a strong partner on climate change, for all the prevailing winds that shift in Washington, D.C.,” he said.

5. He has to help deliver at APEC: Now that he’s back stateside, Newsom and San Francisco officials have their work cut out for them ahead of the APEC summit. Leaders and media from across Asia and the Pacific rim will converge in the city in just two weeks. What image of San Francisco will greet them? Homelessness, fentanyl addiction and crime could easily steal the narrative. Newsom isn’t directly responsible for any city’s day-to-day operations. But the former SF mayor has made it clear that he feels a big-brotherly like responsibility to look out for his hometown. His political future could also hinge on San Francisco’s ability to bounce back.

— with help from Blanca Begert

You can read more coverage of Newsom’s travels in POLITICO’s California Climate newsletter. Our intrepid colleague Blanca traveled with the governor during his tour.

A message from California Resources Corporation:

California Resources Corporation (CRC) is committed to the energy transition and advancing our Net Zero future. To help meet California’s ambitious emissions reduction goals, CRC’s Carbon TerraVault provides real solutions that will enable the capture, transport and permanent storage of carbon dioxide deep underground. These services aim to help mitigate climate change by offering both immediate decarbonization benefits and a long-term solution to reach and maintain carbon neutrality. CRC's CarbonTerraVault.

GOOD MORNING. Happy Tuesday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. And Happy Halloween!

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WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.

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FRESH INK

Student Julio Barron (C) holds a protest sign as he marches with fellow students and faculty members on the campus of California State University, Northridge, in 2011. | Getty Images

HOLD FOR STRIKE — Faculty at California State University could soon head to the picket line after a near-unanimous vote authorizing a strike if university leaders don’t meet their demands on salary and working conditions.

Across 23 CSU campuses, 95 percent of California Faculty Association members who voted gave the green light to stop work, CFA leaders announced Monday. The union, which represents more than 29,000 faculty, lecturers, librarians, counselors and coaches, has been negotiating a contract with the system since May, and the two sides are still far apart on several critical issues.

“Faculty have spoken,” said Charles Toombs, CFA President and a professor at San Diego State University. “They are willing to withhold their labor until we get a reasonable contract that meets their needs.”

Toombs said the union is bargaining for better pay and certain working provisions, like lactation rooms, parental leave and gender neutral bathrooms.

A strike date has not been set. Kevin Wehr, CFA’s bargaining chair, said members could walk out as soon as December, with the hope to avoid striking over winter break.

Amy Bentley-Smith, a spokesperson for CSU, said the vote was expected.

“Similar authorizations were requested and approved by CFA members in prior CSU/CFA negotiations,” she said in a statement. “The strike authorization vote has now become a routine part of CFA’s post-impasse negotiation strategy.”

GARCIA GOES IN — Rep. Robert Garcia announced his endorsement of Rep. Katie Porter in California’s Senate race on Monday, making him the first member of the state’s congressional delegation to back the Orange County Democrat.

"A lot of politicians talk about making change, and don't really know what it means," Garcia said in a video statement Monday. "Katie actually gets it done and causes positive change everywhere she goes."

Porter continues to poll just behind Rep. Adam Schiff, with a recent survey showing her at 15 percent and him at 20. Rep. Barbara Lee trails behind the two at 8 percent.

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WHAT WE'RE READING TODAY

RESTITUTION CLOCK: Survivors of California’s forced sterilization program for incarcerated women and their descendants have until Dec. 31 to apply for reparations. Tens of thousands of people were sterilized in women’s prisons without their consent, but less than 500 applicants have filed for reparations. (KQED)

TEARFUL FAREWELL: Journalists behind the San Francisco Chronicle’s flagship podcast, Fifth & Mission, signed off in a farewell episode Monday. The paper eliminated its award-winning podcast team in a recent round of layoffs. (San Francisco Chronicle)

A message from California Resources Corporation:

California Resources Corporation (CRC) is committed to our Net Zero future and helping California meet its emissions reduction goals under the Paris Climate Accord. CRC’s 2045 Full-Scope Net Zero Goal for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions places us among a select few industry peers to include scope 3 emissions in their Net Zero goal.

CRC’s Carbon TerraVault offers real solutions for helping reach and maintain carbon neutrality through services that include the capture, transport and permanent storage of carbon dioxide deep underground - supporting California in its efforts to combat climate change. CRC is dedicated to developing innovative solutions like Carbon TerraVault to advance the energy transition and help decarbonize our local economies in alignment with the state’s ambitious climate goals.

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PLAYBOOKERS

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: TRANSITIONS — Marvin Figueroa is the new chief of staff for Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.). He was most recently director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he advised Secretary Xavier Becerra. Figueroa previously served under former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, as a deputy secretary of the state department of HHS.

— Anthony Angelini, aide to state Sen. Scott Wilk, will be Director of Government Affairs and Tourism for the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce.

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