40: Why A Reagan-Trump Foreign Policy Will Win the Cold War with China
Sep 4, 2024
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Matthew Kroenig, a Republican foreign policy strategist, and Dan Negrea, a thought leader on the new Cold War, argue that a fusion of Reagan and Trump’s foreign policies is essential to counter China's rise. They discuss American foreign policy interests and the importance of prioritizing direct national security over ideological values. The duo highlights the unsustainability of China's economy due to its communist roots and advocates for a robust national defense strategy that intertwines military readiness with domestic policy to strengthen U.S. competitiveness.
The podcast highlights a new conservative consensus favoring a fusion of Reagan's ideals and Trump's strategies to effectively confront China.
It emphasizes the need for America to clearly define its vital interests in foreign policy, advocating for pragmatic responses to international crises.
Deep dives
Trump-Reagan Fusion in Foreign Policy
A new consensus has emerged within the American conservative movement regarding foreign policy, described as a fusion of Trump's approaches with Reagan's ideals. This consensus advocates for a strong national security strategy that recognizes the current geopolitical challenges, such as the aggressive actions of China and ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East. The authors emphasize that, contrary to common perceptions, the Republican Party is united on crucial issues like military strength, economic policy that prioritizes free and fair trade, and the concept of American exceptionalism. This alignment aims to provide a coherent direction for the party moving forward and to address significant threats to American interests.
Defining American Interests
The discussion stresses the importance of clearly defining American interests in foreign policy debates, moving beyond moralistic arguments to focus on what truly benefits the American people. A key takeaway is that the interests of the United States should guide responses to international crises, using Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a case in point. The authors categorize American interests into vital and important, with vital interests warranting military intervention and others, like trade and democracy, being pursued through alternative strategies. By clarifying these interests, the authors argue that a more pragmatic approach to foreign policy can be fostered.
Conservatism vs. Progressivism in Foreign Policy
The book contrasts conservative foreign policy, grounded in a worldview that sees the world as dangerous, with progressive ideals that focus on international cooperation. It suggests that conservative approaches rooted in religious values prioritize safeguarding American interests and national security, while progressivism aims at global betterment. The dynamic within the Biden administration reflects this tension, as it grapples with balancing progressive priorities against the need for a strong defense amidst competition with authoritarian regimes like China. The authors argue that understanding these perspectives is crucial for articulating a coherent foreign policy strategy.
The Challenge of the New Cold War
The authors assert that the United States is entering a new Cold War, particularly in its competition with China, and stress the need for a serious and responsive national strategy. This context calls for rigorous proposals, such as increased defense spending, which they believe are necessary to revitalize the defense industrial base and ensure military preparedness. The critique of the current administration's defense budget highlights a potential weakening of American military capabilities, emphasizing the necessity for robust funding. Additionally, they advocate for stricter border control measures to address threats associated with foreign military-age individuals crossing into the U.S., positioning these elements as integral to national security.
Matthew Kroenig and Dan Negrea, authors of We Win, They Lose: Republican Foreign Policy and the New Cold War, do not wonder whether a new cold war against the Chinese Communist Party is afoot. Instead, they join the show to explain that when it arrives, America will need a fusion of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump foreign policies to ensure complete and total victory. Whether it’s kinetic military capabilities, diplomatic willpower, or economic maneuvering, defeating China will require a whole-of-country approach.
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