Trump-Era NatSec Official Proposes Measures to Counter Chinese Threat to Taiwan

Former Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger has issued a stark warning: China’s threat to invade Taiwan is real, but it can be deterred if the U.S. takes decisive action now. During an interview on CBS News’ "Face The Nation," Pottinger emphasized the urgent need for strategic measures to prevent a catastrophic conflict.

Pottinger’s remarks, made while discussing his new book "The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan," underscore the clear intentions of China's leader, Xi Jinping. “What is clear is that the dictator in Beijing, Xi Jinping, intends to try to take Taiwan, to annex it, by force if necessary,” he stated. The consequences for American prosperity and security would be dire, but Pottinger remains optimistic about deterrence.

Key Points:

• Pottinger insists that the U.S., Taiwan, and Japan must take immediate and workable steps to deter China’s aggression.

• He highlights the need for increased investment in munitions manufacturing to ensure sustained military capability.

• Pottinger points out that current U.S. defense spending is significantly lower than during the Cold War, which hampers long-term defense readiness.

Strategic Insights:

• Pottinger emphasized the necessity of optimizing the U.S. industrial base to support prolonged military engagements. “If [China doesn’t] think we have the industrial base...right now we haven’t optimized our industrial base to do that.”

• He drew a stark comparison to the Reagan era, noting, “Our defense spending right now is less than half of what it was in the 1980s during the Cold War.”

• The call for increased defense funding is not just about larger budgets but about smarter spending. Pottinger advocates for supercharging military manufacturing by leveraging America’s innovative capabilities.

Additional Context:

• A recent report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlights the growing military imbalance in the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing the urgent need for the U.S. to bolster its defense posture.

• Public opinion in Taiwan shows overwhelming support for maintaining independence, with over 70% of Taiwanese people opposing unification with China.

The steps Pottinger outlines are not just theoretical but actionable and necessary. As tensions with China escalate, America’s response will be critical in maintaining global stability.

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