Ernst Leads Discussion on Countering China to Protect America

CEDAR RAPIDS – Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) led Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.) and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) in a policydiscussionon how countering China is critical to protecting Americaand our interests around the world. This event was hosted by the Bastion Institute.

“My missionas I travel across the state of Iowa and all across the United States…is toreallyhelp Americansunderstand why it isso important that America remain engaged and remain a leader around the world. We cannot abdicate our authority—whether it is militarily, whether it is in trade or economics, we need to remain engaged,” Ernst said.

“What an honor and privilege it is to be here in Iowa,” Gallagher said. “What an incredible Senator you have – really a top thought leader on national security issues and someone I continually look to for advice and mentorship. Senator Ernst, thank you for having us here and the role you play in the United States Congress. It’s incredibly unique and you should all be proud of your Senator.”

“I want to thank Joni Ernst because she is a great voice for Iowa and our country around the world. She has been leading delegations…We are lucky to have Joni out there on that stage to make sure America looks strong,” Hinson said.

Watch their full conversation here.

Additional highlights from the panel include:

On Congress’ actions to counter China:

“[China] is a right here at home threat, and you don’t need a Chinese Spy Balloon to remind you of the threat to American sovereignty. There have been high profile cases of economic espionage conducted against Iowa farm interests – the theft of ag intellectual property. Given that China is food insecure, they are doing their best to steal our best agricultural technology right here in the heart of the Midwest,” said Gallagher, Chairman of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

“China is not playingbythe rules…If they are not fulfilling their end of the deal, that’s taking those resources right from Iowa farmers and from the people who do feed and fuel the world, so we need to be doing everything we can to counter their malign activities and espionage,” Hinson said, who also serves on the Select Committee.

On Ernst and Gallagher’s Rings of Fire Act to deter China:

“We have been paying attention to the threat China poses in the South China Sea. They have been conducting very aggressive military movements through the Indo-Pacific region…Recently, Congressman Gallegherand I proposed a piece of legislation that has been included in the National Defense Authorization Act…to create Rings of Fire…to counter China and their aggressive nature,” Ernst said.

“If we want to prevent a war from breaking out in the Pacific…the lesson is to put hard power in Xi Jinping’s path…[thisis]our best chance at preserving the peace…To prevent war, you need to convince the other guy you are willing to go to war,” Gallagher said.

On the curbing the threat of fentanyl:

“China is directly responsible for sending over and manufacturing a lot of the precursors for that dangerous fentanyl that is making its way into our communities,” Hinson said.

“If we would just bolster our border patrol agencies, we could intercept a lot more, but we have not seen the intestinal fortitude from this administration to actually give them the resources they need to protect our families from fentanyl,” Ernst said.

Ernst concluded the panel by saying, “We have the power and might in the United States. We shouldn’t abdicate our authority in these areas to other countries. We are looked to by so many other nations for leadership…America should always be first, but it is not by America alone. Only by showing leadership around the world can we leverage our partners and our allies to make the world a more stable place where we all can thrive and prosper.”

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