Lawmakers meet with Bob Iger and Tim Cook on China’s trade and business practices

Members of the Chinese Communist Party’s House Select Committee plan, Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger and Apple CEO Tim Cook, as well as screenwriters and other executives at the studio.

The committee’s chairman, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) previously said he wanted Iger to testify with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver about Disney’s business dealings in the country. At a performance on Face the nation In February, Gallagher said, “I think we can have a productive conversation with companies that have significant business interests in China, and we want to make sure that the strength of the Chinese economy doesn’t tempt certain companies to compromise American values.” do not betray.”

Disney and other studios have been criticized by lawmakers for censoring films themselves to gain access to the Chinese market. In the Face the nation In an interview, Gallagher said, “We just want American companies to act like Americans and embrace American values ​​like — like freedom of speech and pluralism and things like that. So that’s the concern.”

Axios was the first to report on the meetings and Igers was scheduled for Wednesday. A source familiar with the plans confirmed the plans. Lawmakers also plan to meet with Silicon Valley venture capitalists.

A little-noticed provision of a recently passed defense law prevents the US government from spending money on films that, in order to get the green light from Chinese authorities, are modified in light of Chinese government regulations. Hollywood is still evaluating the impact of the regulation while the Department of Defense prepares guidance.

The China Special Committee’s first hearing in February was notable for members’ bipartisan concerns about China. Last month, members of both parties grilled Tik Tok CEO Shou Zi Chew about Chinese influence on the platform. Some lawmakers are calling for the app to be banned.