Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has pledged to deter China from invading Taiwan if he secures the presidency in 2024. DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican nomination, believes that China will refrain from such an attack if the costs outweigh the benefits. In an interview with Fox News, he stated that China respects hard power and will not take action if the potential costs exceed the benefits.
DeSantis outlined his strategy for deterrence, which includes leveraging both military power and economic measures. He referred to the need for hard power in the region, which likely alludes to the involvement of the US military, as well as the economic levers that the United States holds.
Tensions between the United States and China have been escalating for some time, with various issues contributing to strained relations. These include China’s claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, export bans on advanced technologies, state-led industrial policies, human rights concerns, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, and trade tariffs.
DeSantis criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the China-Taiwan issue, expressing concerns that under the current administration, China could potentially take control of Taiwan within the next five to ten years if the US does not change course. DeSantis, like other Republican candidates, sees China as the number one geopolitical threat to the United States.
Former President Donald Trump currently holds the lead in the Republican field in terms of public opinion, with DeSantis trailing behind. In addition to his stance on Taiwan, DeSantis also revealed that he would consider a national ban on TikTok, the Chinese-owned short video app. He stated that he is inclined to not want TikTok in the United States.
It’s worth noting that the Biden administration has made efforts to repair relations with China through recent visits by senior US officials. However, DeSantis believes a stronger approach is necessary to prevent China from invading Taiwan.
In conclusion, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has vowed to deter China from invading Taiwan if he wins the 2024 presidential election. His strategy involves leveraging both military power and economic measures to ensure that the costs of an invasion would outweigh the benefits for China. DeSantis criticized President Biden’s handling of the issue and called for a change of course to prevent China from taking control of Taiwan in the next five to ten years.
