2024 Republican Contenders Set Sights on China: Unveiling Strong Foreign Policy Stance

Former Vice President Mike Pence delivered a comprehensive foreign policy speech on Monday at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC. He outlined his vision, criticized President Joe Biden's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, and highlighted the contrasting views within the Republican party. Pence began his speech by emphasizing the significance of China, stating that it poses the greatest strategic and economic threat to the United States in the 21st century. He further emphasized that communist China is actively pursuing victory through any means necessary. While acknowledging China as an economic adversary, Pence emphasized that whether it becomes an enemy will depend on the choices made by American leaders today.

Pence's speech marks the most recent instance of 2024 Republican presidential primary candidates focusing squarely on China to showcase their foreign policy expertise and criticize the Biden administration. These candidates frequently emphasize that China poses both military and economic threats.

China has consistently remained the primary subject of discussion among Republican primary candidates regarding foreign policy. They have engaged in debates over who exhibits the strongest stance against China, produced advertisements to highlight their positions, and delivered dramatic speeches to unveil their policy approaches towards the nation.

"I believe it is crucial for all political candidates to prioritize this issue as it greatly impacts our security and safety. It is my hope that the president will address this matter promptly, to prevent any future repercussions," stated former Ambassador Scott Brown, who served as the United States representative in New Zealand and Samoa under the Trump administration, in an email to CNN.

In his speech on Monday, Vice President Pence primarily focused on China, utilizing his critique of the nation to also criticize the present administration. He later shifted gears to address other contentious topics like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Mike Pence.

Bryon Houlgrave/AP

Pence intensifies attacks on Trump as GOP primary heats up

Pence criticized Joe Biden's weak and ineffective leadership, stating that it has significantly increased the global risks.

During a campaign event in New Hampshire, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida unveiled his economic policy proposals in July. These proposals encompass ending China's preferential trade status, rectifying the trade deficits between the US and China, and prohibiting the import of goods produced from stolen intellectual property.

"The elites deceived us with their stance on China. They were mistaken, and it is vital that we rectify our position," stated DeSantis during his speech.

Shortly after, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina unveiled a 30-second campaign ad emphasizing the importance of adopting a assertive stance towards China as a means of opposing the Biden administration.

"China poses the greatest threat to America's security, empowered by Joe Biden's lack of strength," Scott asserts in the advertisement. "They are acquiring our agricultural land, conducting surveillance on our children, and taking away our employment opportunities. As the President, I will prevent China from infiltrating our nation and accessing our data. I will safeguard American workers and restore our military to its position as the most formidable fighting force on Earth."

In a more recent development, Nikki Haley, former Governor of South Carolina and former United Nations ambassador, emphasized the increasingly adversarial nature of the relationship between the United States and China.

"China has been actively preparing for a conflict with us for years," stated Haley in a recent interview with CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union." "I consider China an adversary."

Additionally, Haley has portrayed China as a means to portray Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as lacking strength and capability.

"China's success lies in surpassing America. China is perceived as an adversary, having devoted significant time and resources for potential military conflict with the United States. The extent of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' perceived vulnerability to China is both astonishing and concerning," voiced Haley during her appearance on "The Tudor Dixon Podcast."

Since 2016, former President Donald Trump consistently targeted China as a favored subject of criticism.

Amidst the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Trump staunchly defended himself against backlash for labeling the coronavirus as the "China virus."

Using China as a basis, Trump claimed to have achieved more compared to previous administrations. In a July op-ed published in Newsweek regarding the Russia investigation, Trump asserted his commitment to "putting an end to the betrayal of our nation to Communist China."

According to Republican strategist Maura Gillespie, while the United States has hostile relationships with other superpowers, focusing on China in the GOP primary is a safer option. Gillespie explains that the GOP finds it more favorable to present China as an adversary rather than Russia. This is particularly true for candidates who are trying to appeal to far-right voters. Gillespie further mentions that attacking China is seen as safer than attacking Russia or Vladimir Putin, as President Trump has expressed oddly positive sentiments towards Putin. Additionally, Putin's recent comments on the indictments and investigations regarding the president only reinforce this perception.