US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro says that China’s intent to take over Taiwan poses a threat to US economic security. Del Toro was speaking during the ongoing Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.
Del Toro says that whether China were to take over Taiwan peacefully or through a military invasion, any Chinese annexation of Taiwan would seriously impact US economic security. He says that if China elected to use force, this could destabilize the global economy. According to him, China is a “pacing” and significant threat, but the US will not ignore other international challenges. These include Russia, Iran, and North Korea, as well as terrorist organizations.
He says the US needs to invest more in its naval capabilities to counter the expansion of the Chinese navy. Last year, China’s navy commissioned 20 new warships, and it is in the process of constructing another 20 this year.