Senator Tom Cotton

Ben, China's ultimate goal is to replace America as the world's dominant economic and military superpower and to call the shots in the world, make everyone dance to their tune. They've been open about this at times like during President Trump's first term on a state visit.

Ben, China's ultimate goal is to replace America as the world's dominant economic and military superpower and to call the shots in the world, make everyone dance to their tune. They've been open about this at times like during President Trump's first term on a state visit.

Ben, China's ultimate goal is to replace America as the world's dominant economic and military superpower and to call the shots in the world, make everyone dance to their tune. They've been open about this at times like during President Trump's first term on a state visit.

telling his senior aides that they view a future in which America is basically a low cost commodity exporter to China that will provide them cheap oil and cheap agricultural products and that's about it. And that's why you've seen them undertake this breathtaking military buildup over the last 25 years.

telling his senior aides that they view a future in which America is basically a low cost commodity exporter to China that will provide them cheap oil and cheap agricultural products and that's about it. And that's why you've seen them undertake this breathtaking military buildup over the last 25 years.

telling his senior aides that they view a future in which America is basically a low cost commodity exporter to China that will provide them cheap oil and cheap agricultural products and that's about it. And that's why you've seen them undertake this breathtaking military buildup over the last 25 years.

So they now have the world's largest military by far and the second most technologically capable military after ours. That's why they take such aggressive economic actions to try to benefit their companies and try to harm our companies. and why they're so aggressive towards Taiwan, which is really the linchpin of China's strategy.

So they now have the world's largest military by far and the second most technologically capable military after ours. That's why they take such aggressive economic actions to try to benefit their companies and try to harm our companies. and why they're so aggressive towards Taiwan, which is really the linchpin of China's strategy.

So they now have the world's largest military by far and the second most technologically capable military after ours. That's why they take such aggressive economic actions to try to benefit their companies and try to harm our companies. and why they're so aggressive towards Taiwan, which is really the linchpin of China's strategy.

They know that they can't achieve their goals without taking Taiwan. But if they take Taiwan, they're on the precipice of achieving those goals.

They know that they can't achieve their goals without taking Taiwan. But if they take Taiwan, they're on the precipice of achieving those goals.

They know that they can't achieve their goals without taking Taiwan. But if they take Taiwan, they're on the precipice of achieving those goals.

Both would be very worrisome. Any kind of conflict over Taiwan would be devastating, Ben. It would probably lead to an immediate global depression that would wipe out the life savings of many Americans in the stock market, lead to mass unemployment, shortages on the shelves of American stores.

Both would be very worrisome. Any kind of conflict over Taiwan would be devastating, Ben. It would probably lead to an immediate global depression that would wipe out the life savings of many Americans in the stock market, lead to mass unemployment, shortages on the shelves of American stores.

Both would be very worrisome. Any kind of conflict over Taiwan would be devastating, Ben. It would probably lead to an immediate global depression that would wipe out the life savings of many Americans in the stock market, lead to mass unemployment, shortages on the shelves of American stores.

And part of that reason, as you say, is that Taiwan is the source of more than 60% of all global semiconductor manufacturing, more than 90% of advanced semiconductor manufacturing. It's also that you could expect a complete breakdown of economic ties between China and the United States and the West.

And part of that reason, as you say, is that Taiwan is the source of more than 60% of all global semiconductor manufacturing, more than 90% of advanced semiconductor manufacturing. It's also that you could expect a complete breakdown of economic ties between China and the United States and the West.

And part of that reason, as you say, is that Taiwan is the source of more than 60% of all global semiconductor manufacturing, more than 90% of advanced semiconductor manufacturing. It's also that you could expect a complete breakdown of economic ties between China and the United States and the West.

Unfortunately, we've allowed those ties to grow very deep and therefore we're very dependent on China. So even if there were a conflict that were inconclusive, that reached a stalemate, you would still see, again, an almost immediate global depression that would be devastating for Americans.

Unfortunately, we've allowed those ties to grow very deep and therefore we're very dependent on China. So even if there were a conflict that were inconclusive, that reached a stalemate, you would still see, again, an almost immediate global depression that would be devastating for Americans.