At the Iowa State Fair over the weekend, Republican presidential contenders outlined how they would deal with China, should they win the presidency. Biotech investor and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy joined Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on the stage for a wide-ranging chat as part of her Fair-Side Chats series on Saturday morning.
“I’m going to state a basic and obvious fact,” began Ramaswamy when Reynolds asked about China. “We cannot depend on an enemy for our modern way of life.”
After his over twenty-minute conversation concluded, Forbes was able to ask a couple of follow-up questions regarding China. In earlier interviews with Forbes, both North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and former Congressman Will Hurd, two long-shot candidates in the 2024 race, said they believe the United States is in a Cold War with China. Does Ramaswamy agree with that characterization?
“I think the terminology matters less than the substance. We’re dependent on our adversary — they’re fundamentally hostile to the United States. I’m going to end that,” the political outsider tells Forbes.
When asked about how he would end what he describes as this “economic dependance on an enemy,” he imagines what he would say at the table with Chinese President Xi Jinping, should he win in 2024.
“Brother, we’re done, ok? Unless you’re reforming.”
For the full conversation, click on the video above.
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