China becomes a punching bag for assertive U.S. states

NEW YORK -- U.S. state-level officials on both sides of the political spectrum have taken an increasingly confrontational stance against China through actions that tighten trade and economic restrictions, complicating Washington's diplomacy with China.

Last month, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order that requires a government agency to conduct annual risk assessments of the state's vulnerability to China, from cybersecurity to economic and supply chain weaknesses.