As we celebrate America’s birthday we reflect on what has led to 250 years of success. We are the home of the free because of the brave.
From our Founding we’ve affirmed that our people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We’ve created a country where any American, regardless of who they are, can achieve the American Dream. This happens through hard work and determination.
Our values have inspired generations of Americans. They’ve also secured our role as the global economic, technology, and military leader.
We have a lot to celebrate.
We also need to consider what it will take to secure the next 250 years.
One of the most important tasks will be deterring Communist China. China is — without a doubt — the greatest existential threat to America. Communist China seeks to infiltrate our country. They seek to undermine our people, values, and way of life. We cannot let this happen if we want our nation, and the world, to thrive for centuries to come.
That’s why I’ve made it a priority to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore for the last two years. This conference brings together leaders from North America, the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and beyond to discuss important security issues.
I attended again this year and had conversations about deterring China and bolstering our national security.
Here are a few of my takeaways:
First, we need to shore up our own defense industrial base. I’m proud of the great work we do in Nebraska to ensure our warfighters have the capabilities needed to counter and deter China. This also helps our allies and partners.
Second, we need to strengthen our military cooperation with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Third, we must recommit our support for allies and partners who have fallen victim to Communist China’s malign aggression. This includes economic coercion. Peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific are good for America. We need to secure this.
While I was at the conference, I also had conversations about improving trade relations. We know that China is not a good trade partner. Identifying new opportunities in the Indo-Pacific will reduce our reliance on Communist China. It will also expand market access for our ranchers and farmers.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to advocate for Nebraskans on the world stage.
I am working on legislation that will deter Communist China and secure the next 250 years.
I recently introduced the MARKET Act. This legislation would identify new markets for our ag producers. This would allow Nebraska farmers and ranchers to diversify their ag exports.
We also need to protect our land from China. The Communist country has made a practice of strategically buying our land. They’ve targeted sensitive areas, including near our military bases. I’ve introduced the PLOT Act and the AFIDA Improvements Act to combat these malign actions. Americans, not Communist China, should own American land. This is true now and will be for the next 250 years.
China targeting our auto industry is another threat we need to address. Chinese vehicles should never be allowed in America. They threaten our national security. This allows for foreign surveillance and intelligence collection. In a potential military crisis, it would allow sabotage. I cosponsored the Connected Vehicle Security Act to defend Americans from the Chinese auto industry. U.S. automakers produce safe and reliable vehicles. We don’t need China’s vehicles. We need to support the American auto industry. Our auto industry has long been important to our nation’s growth.
Finally, we need to ensure America wins the AI race against China. A world where Communist China leads AI is bad for the U.S. and the rest of the world. My MATCH Act would prevent this from happening. It would ensure China cannot purchase key semiconductor technology needed for AI. America’s values, not China’s, need to lead the world.
Each of these efforts is about protecting our great nation. Future generations deserve to celebrate the America we all know and love.
My team and I are here to serve you. Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224. You can also view my website at https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact.