Amid ongoing trade talks between China and the United States, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) on Wednesday’s “Squawk Box” on CNBC reminded viewers that China is not a friend of the U.S.

Scott called leaders of China’s government “bad actors” who want to steal our trade secrets.

“Remember, they’re sitting there supporting a thug like Maduro down in Venezuela, who we have all these children dying down there and they’re a bad actor worldwide,” Scott stated. “The Chinese government is not our friend so we’ve got to stand up.”

He continued, “I would not give in on the trade talks. Look, China’s not proven to be a partner. They’ve not helped us with North Korea, they’ve not helped us with Maduro down in Venezuela, they’re building up their military to compete with us — look at all the information out there right now about what they’re doing with their military. They’re building a military to compete with us and they’re doing it with profits they make off of stealing our trade secrets.”

Follow Trent Baker on Twitter @MagnifiTrent