Actions by China and Russia require ramping up military investments

A Democrat and a Republican lawmaker are suggesting that the US government ramp up military investment like what was done for World War II. These lawmakers argue that our ability to deal with China is eroding while Russia and China appear to be increasing cooperation. These lawmakers suggest that if China invades Taiwan; our ongoing support for Ukraine would limit America’s ability to provide Taiwan the support it needs.

From Fox News:

“I think Xi is clearly moving to cement Putin in Russia as a junior partner. This is one of the secondary effects of Putin’s war in Ukraine,” Waltz told Fox News Digital, saying the United States needs to “take this partnership incredibly seriously.”

“Xi has dramatically increased China’s imports of Russian gas, Russian coal and critical minerals,” Waltz added. “They are increasingly conducting joint military exercises, not just with each other, but also with Iran and other countries.

“So, are we ready? That’s the question, I think, that keeps John and I up at night.”

“One really important element here is what is going to come with Ukraine and the question of whether the United States is going to stay in the fight for Ukraine,” Garamendi said, pointing to China’s ambitions to take Taiwan. “If we were to back out of that fight, it is a clear message to Xi that we are not a reliable ally for Taiwan and other countries in the Western Pacific.”

Garamendi stressed the need for the United States to “get there early with whatever is necessary for Taiwan.”

Waltz agreed, saying they will work on a bipartisan basis to push the Biden administration to arm Taiwan “beforehand.”

“It would send a clear message to Xi that this will not go easily and hopefully make him continue to say, ‘Not now, not yet,'” Waltz said.

But Waltz warned that U.S. deterrence is weakened.

“I think we are seeing our deterrence, and our admirals and generals are increasingly saying this louder and louder — our ability to deter, and therefore keep the peace, is being steadily eroded,” Waltz said.

“We should listen to these dictators when they say what they’re going to do — that Xi is not going to pass the Taiwan problem and reunification off to the next generation. He intends to solve it on his watch, and I am increasingly concerned about our ability to deter. I feel like, honestly, we’re in a race against time right now.”

Fox News has the article here.

Category: China, Military issues, Russia