Breaking China: Congressman Mike Gallagher on Asian Geopolitics and Beyond | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution
Nov 17, 2023
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Congressman Mike Gallagher, chair of the US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, discusses the Chinese threat to Taiwan, TikTok's dangers, the US Navy's weak state compared to China, and the challenges of defense spending. Plus, insights on the Green Bay Packers and America's moral resources.
The Chinese Communist Party's goal is to displace America from global leadership and poses a potential military threat to the US over Taiwan.
The need to address CCP's infiltrations and covert activities in the US, such as illegal police stations, surveillance of Chinese Americans, and intimidation tactics on American campuses.
Strategic investments in the US military, including shipbuilding, advanced weapons systems, addressing workforce and bureaucratic issues, and attracting critical talent, are crucial in countering the Chinese threat.
Deep dives
The Threat of the Chinese Communist Party
The main focus of the podcast episode is on the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to the United States and the free world. Congressman Michael Gallagher emphasizes that the CCP's goal is to displace America from global leadership and highlights the potential dangers of a military conflict between the US and China over Taiwan. He also discusses the economic coercion carried out by the CCP, which could result in a fundamental loss of freedom and economic independence. Additionally, he mentions the detrimental impact of CCP's predatory economic practices on industries in the industrial Midwest, leading to job losses.
The Need for Action and Preparedness
Congressman Gallagher, chair of the House Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, emphasizes the need for action and preparedness to address the CCP threat. He highlights the importance of understanding that the threat is not distant, but rather affects the United States domestically. He mentions the Chinese Communist Party's activities in the US, such as illegal police stations and surveillance of Chinese Americans, as well as intimidation tactics used on American campuses. Gallagher emphasizes the need to shed light on and address these infiltrations and covert activities.
Challenges and Solutions for National Defense
The podcast delves into challenges and potential solutions for national defense in the face of the Chinese threat. It highlights the need for strategic investments in the US military, particularly in shipbuilding and acquiring advanced weapons systems. Gallagher notes the shrinking size of the US Navy, the importance of consistent demand for ships, and the potential vulnerabilities of US carriers in the face of China's ship-killing capabilities. He also discusses the need to address workforce and bureaucratic issues within the Department of Defense, encourage innovation through partnerships with tech industry experts, and consider immigration reforms to attract critical talent to the US for defense and technological advancements.
The Growing Threat of China
There is a growing awareness of the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party, particularly in terms of their anti-American agenda and partnership with Russia and Iran. However, this awareness has yet to translate into tangible action. The speaker suggests revitalizing the munitions industrial base and investing in building missiles to counter China's naval capabilities. This could be achieved with a relatively small investment over a five-year defense plan. Prepositioning these weapons in the Indo-Pacific is crucial, given the challenge of resupplying in island-based territories like Taiwan. While the Republican Party is divided on national security, a clear presidential leadership is needed to resolve the divide.
The TikTok Dilemma and Wall Street's Role
TikTok, a popular social media platform controlled by a Chinese company called ByteDance, is becoming the dominant media company in the US. The speaker expresses concerns about TikTok being controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its implications for American interests. He argues that allowing a CCP-controlled company to be the dominant news platform is untenable. The speaker suggests banning TikTok, forcing a sale to an American company, or insisting on reciprocity in allowing social media companies to operate in China. The issue shows the need to address the problem of Wall Street funneling US capital into Chinese companies that appear on US government blacklists, contributing to American dollars flowing into entities that may pose a threat to national security.
Not yet 40 years old, Republican congressman Mike Gallagher has been elected four times to the House of Representatives from Wisconsin’s eighth district, which includes Green Bay and, more importantly, Lambeau Field, home of the Packers. He’s currently serving as the chair of the US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. He joins in a wide-ranging conversation to discuss the Chinese threat to Taiwan, TikTok’s dangers to American youth, who actually is the fastest man in Congress, his advice for Pope Francis, and how to be a Packers fan in troubled times.
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