Staff Reports
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, a rising star in the Republican Party, has unveiled his foreign policy proposal with a strong focus on countering the growing threat of Chinese dominance. DeSantis delivered his message at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., emphasizing the need for “peace through strength” in dealing with China.
DeSantis's 'peace through strength': Secure the border and fend off Chinese threat https://t.co/WUv4MDJEoH
— Julia Johnson (@juliaajohnson_) October 27, 2023
DeSantis highlighted the national security issue posed by the southern border, noting that people from all over the world, including China, are taking advantage of its insecurity. He further argued that conflicts like the war in Ukraine benefit the Chinese Communist Party, diverting attention and resources away from countering their threat. As a result, DeSantis stressed the imperative of prioritizing China as the primary focus of U.S. foreign policy.
To effectively deter Chinese dominance, DeSantis outlined several key measures. He called for avoiding unnecessary conflicts and rejecting the ceding of American sovereignty to international organizations such as the United Nations. DeSantis underscored the importance of garnering public support for any military engagements, emphasizing that as commander in chief, he would ensure that the U.S. armed forces have the necessary resources to achieve a decisive and overwhelming victory.
One of the notable proposals in DeSantis’s plan is the establishment of a four-ocean Navy, with 355 ships by the end of his first term as president and 385 ships by the end of a potential second term. This ambitious goal aims to pave the way for a 600-ship Navy in the next 20 years, bolstering American military strength and countering China’s naval power projection.
DeSantis’s approach to dealing with China differs from that of other potential 2024 Republican primary contenders. While former Vice President Mike Pence and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley have emphasized support for Ukraine against Russia, DeSantis advocates for ending conflicts, including those involving Ukraine, to focus on the Chinese threat. This distinction underscores DeSantis’s commitment to prioritizing China as the main adversary to U.S. interests.
Overall, DeSantis’s foreign policy proposal demonstrates his determination to confront the rising influence and power of China. His plan seeks to bolster American military capabilities, rally public support, and prioritize the Chinese threat in order to ensure American security and interests in the face of global challenges.
