Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has warned that China is the “greatest threat” to the United States and that President-elect Donald Trump will bring “peace through strength, not peace through appeasement.”
Gimenez, a Republican from Florida, said that China is making significant strides in production, particularly in defense materials and weapons, surpassing that of the United States. He cited the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war as a demonstration of the degradation of the US defense capacity over decades, warning that the US could run out of munitions quickly if it were to engage in a prolonged conflict with China.
The US is trying to catch up, Gimenez said, and must update its defense strategy by being more nimble, involving the private sector, and eliminating bureaucratic hurdles that hinder its ability to protect itself. He also emphasized the importance of the US being energy independent, saying, “We could use our energy dominance as an economic weapon against our enemies, helping our friends and hurting our enemies.”
Regarding the Biden administration, Gimenez criticized President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken for exhibiting weakness and trying to appease enemies, whereas Trump would prioritize the security of America. He believes that the US should aim to be the “energy spigot of the world” and use its energy dominance to starve countries allied with China of their greatest source of revenue, thereby weakening their ability to help China.
Gimenez also urged the House Select Committee on the CCP to continue its work, saying that the China threat is increasing and that both Republicans and Democrats on the committee have recognized it. He believes that Trump will project strength and back his words with action to contain the Chinese Communist Party.