Members of Congress revealed to during the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, what they believe is the greatest threat currently facing the United States.
China was at the top of the list, but other bad actors such as Iran and Russia, as well as the open southern border, are also concerns.
Rep. Ken Calvert, chairman of the House Appropriations and Defense Subcommittee, told exclusively that China is “our biggest threat.”
“And we must ensure that we align our resources and capabilities to address this threat,” Calvert, R-Calif., continued.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, pointed to the annual Reagan National Defense Survey released last week that showed 51 percent of Americans consider China to be the “greatest threat to the United States.”
“There is currently no direct kinetic action with China in the military field,” she told , but according to the survey, “China’s global expansion – be it military or economic – worries Americans.”
Rep. Ken Calvert, chairman of the House Appropriations and Defense Subcommittee, told exclusively that China is “our biggest threat.”
Ernst told that China is the biggest concern for her and most Americans
House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith, D-Wash., said there is not a single greatest threat, but a combination.
“I think the biggest threat to the United States is the effort by Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and various terrorist groups to work together to drive us out – to reduce U.S. influence and try to get us out of the Middle East. “, from Asia, from Europe,” he told .
The top Democrat said the threat was the “coalition” of those countries trying to “impose a new world order.”
He cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the biggest threat that also worries other countries, as well as China’s “territorial plans” worldwide.
Additionally, Iran is “destabilizing” governments throughout the Middle East, which is another major U.S. concern
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., also responded that there are “a number” of threats.
“It’s a combination of things,” she told . Obvious when we look at a nation state like China and the influence they gain militarily and also in trade. This is a big threat to us.”
She said Russia’s “belligerence and aggression” toward Ukraine should be a cause for concern for everyone.
In addition, the US’s “nuclear competitors” – China and Russia – are its main targets.
“So my focus is very much on these two countries because they pose an existential threat to our nation,” she continued.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said that while there are security challenges abroad, the United States’ southern border is becoming the “biggest” threat.
“I still believe the southern border is quickly becoming our greatest threat.” It’s just too easy to get in. We don’t catch many of them. And we already know that it is having a devastating impact on our society,” he told .
However, he maintained that the most pressing threat to the national defense strategy was “clearly China.”
“China threatens us not only militarily, but also economically, socially and culturally.” “They represent a major threat that we have lost sight of for several decades, and now we are focusing on everything,” the senator added.
David Trulio, president and chief executive officer of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, told that China was a key concern.
He pointed to the results of the sixth annual Reagan National Defense Survey showing that Americans are most worried about China.
An overwhelming majority of Americans (77 percent) view China as an enemy, while only 15 percent view the communist state as an “ally.” And 42 percent of respondents consider China to be a “strong” enemy.
That’s a big difference from 2018 results, which found that only 55 percent of Americans viewed China as an enemy and 38 percent viewed it as an ally.
The survey results are a “significant contribution to assessing where the American public stands on critical issues affecting peace through strength,” said Trulio, who recently led a delegation to Taiwan.
“And the first finding is that Americans strongly support President Reagan’s concept of peace through strength, they support military spending, they support an engaged America around the world, they support U.S. support for allies and partners – whether in Ukraine , in Israel or in Taiwan.” .’
“That is why it is very important to recognize that the wisdom of the American people is that an engaged America and an America that helps those who are willing to fight for their own freedom is a good thing.”
The five-day trip to Taiwan focused on examining security issues facing the state, particularly due to increasing Chinese aggression, and strengthening ties between the US and its friend in the Indo-Pacific.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said that while there are security challenges abroad, the United States’ southern border is becoming the “biggest” threat
Senator Fischer said Russia’s “belligerence and aggression” toward Ukraine should be of concern to everyone
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke about the increasing security challenges facing the United States in his keynote address.
“We are living through challenging times.” These include the major conflicts facing our democratic fellow citizens Israel and Ukraine; harassment and coercion by an increasingly assertive China; and a global struggle between democracy and autocracy,” he told forum participants.
He added: “And these are the times when global security depends on American unity and American strength.”