Washington’s Top China Hawk Talks TikTok, Taiwan & Trump
Dec 4, 2023
01:01:15
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Rep. Mike Gallagher, a leading China hawk in DC, talks about the influence of China in the US, the importance of crisis communication, American companies' exposure to China, dysfunction in Congress, and the idea of a unity ticket.
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Quick takeaways
Deterrence is crucial in preventing war with China, and prioritizing deterrence is essential in light of rising tensions and military operations focused on Taiwan.
Navigating the relationship with China requires a careful balance between engagement and deterrence, with selective decoupling and collaboration with other nations playing a key role.
TikTok's ownership structure raises concerns about reciprocity, espionage, and propaganda, necessitating action like banning or forcing a sale, along with selective decoupling and fostering domestic technological innovation.
Deep dives
Importance of Deterrence in US-China Relations
Deterrence is crucial in preventing war with China, as even low-level scenarios could have devastating consequences. The rising tensions and military operations focused on Taiwan make prioritizing deterrence imperative. By establishing a credible deterrent posture and enhancing military capabilities, the US can communicate strength and prevent China from pursuing aggressive actions.
The Complexities of US-China Relations
Navigating the relationship with China requires a careful balance between engagement and deterrence. While engagement assumes that negotiations can result in constructive changes, there is evidence that China may not respond positively to diplomatic efforts alone. Selective decoupling or diversification is necessary for reducing risk in critical areas like advanced manufacturing and AI, while also fostering collaboration with other nations to bolster the collective response to China.
Concerns and Actions Regarding TikTok and China's Influence
TikTok's ownership structure raises concerns regarding reciprocity, espionage, and propaganda. The lack of equal access to social media platforms between the US and China, suspicions of espionage, and the potential for propaganda via TikTok necessitate action. Options like banning or forcing a sale of TikTok aim to address these concerns and protect national security. Selective decoupling from China and fostering domestic technological innovation are also essential to mitigate risks and maintain control over critical sectors.
Building an Anti-Navy Strategy to Defend Taiwan
The podcast discusses the need to develop an anti-navy strategy to defend Taiwan from a potential Chinese invasion. The speaker explains that China has built the largest navy in the world, and while technologically superior, numerically inferior navies have historically struggled to defeat larger, less advanced navies. The proposed strategy involves turning Taiwan into a porcupine, deploying small teams of Marines with naval strike missiles on joint tactical vehicles in the region, and expanding this defensive line to include the southern Japanese islands and northern Philippines islands. The key is to develop a range of concentric rings that utilize advanced energetics and extend the range of the defensive capabilities.
American Companies' Role in Standing up to China
The podcast highlights the need for American companies to take a stronger stance against the Chinese Communist Party and champion values such as freedom of expression. The speaker criticizes American companies for prioritizing profits over basic values, citing examples such as the NBA apologizing to the Chinese Communist Party after supporting protesters in Hong Kong. Specific companies like Apple and Tesla are mentioned as having significant exposure to China and are urged to diversify their manufacturing and be more transparent about their dealings with the Chinese government. Additionally, the speaker calls on BlackRock to stop investing in Chinese military companies and advocates for sector-specific guardrails on outbound capital flows.
Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin is on a mission to raise the alarm bell on the Chinese Communist Party and rethink America’s approach to China. As chair of the Select Committee on the CCP, he’s arguably the leading China hawk in DC and has put the squeeze on everyone from Elon Musk and Bob Iger to the NBA and Wall Street to get tougher on China. The person he wants to push the hardest, though, is President Joe Biden.
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on social media. We’re on Instagram/Threads as @karaswisher and @nayeemaraza
