Nominee tells senators Luxembourg joined China's Belt and Road for investment ties; pledges U.S. engagement if confirmed

The nominee for Luxembourg told senators the Grand Duchy signed on to China's Belt and Road Initiative as part of long-standing investment relations and EU cooperation and said the United States should work with Luxembourg to address risks from Chinese engagement.

The nominee, responding to a question from Senator Mitt Romney, said Luxembourg proud prides itself on having good relations, investment relations with many countries throughout the world, and that that openness was a factor in the decision to sign the initiative. The nominee added that, as a key member of the European Union Luxembourg recognizes that it's working with its neighbors, offering an internal check on risky agreements.

Why it matters: Luxembourg is one of a small number of Western European countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative, a China-led global infrastructure and investment program that U.S. officials have criticized for increasing strategic dependence on Beijing.

The nominee emphasized a diplomatic approach if confirmed: I certainly plan to work with Luxembourg to make sure that they understand the challenges that come from that Chinese initiative, the nominee said, adding confidence that shared democratic and historic ties provide a starting point for U.S. engagement.

The hearing produced no vote or formal action on the subject; senators pressed the nominee for how they would raise U.S. concerns if confirmed.