During the recent Republican Party’s presidential debate in Miami, Florida, Indian-American entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy raised an important point about the US-China relationship.
He emphasised that the US cannot afford to get tough with China due to its dependency on the country for various aspects of its modern way of life.
Ramaswamy highlighted the need for the US to declare economic independence from China, stressing that such a move is essential in order to protect the nation’s interests.
He paralleled this necessity with the spirit of the Declaration of Independence, suggesting that it’s akin to what Thomas Jefferson would have signed if he were alive today.
One critical area of dependency on China that Ramaswamy pointed out is the US defence industrial base. He noted that the supply chain for essential components of defence equipment, such as the F-35 jets and ships, relies on China.
This illustrates a significant vulnerability in the national security apparatus, where the US is reliant on a potential adversary for crucial resources.
Moreover, Ramaswamy highlighted the US dependency on China for pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. These dependencies not only impact national security but also raise concerns about economic stability and resilience in the face of global challenges.
In essence, Ramaswamy’s stance urges a reevaluation of the US-China relationship in critical sectors to ensure that the US can safeguard its national security and economic interests. This serves as a thought-provoking perspective on a complex and far-reaching geopolitical issue.