How the US is bankrolling Beijing’s ambitions 

Excerpt

The U.S., long the world’s dominant superpower, now finds itself in the precarious position of having financed the rise of its primary adversary.  

For decades, American capital has helped fuel China’s growth, supporting an economy that has rapidly modernized its industries, strengthened its military and equipped its technological capabilities. As a result, we have unwittingly empowered the Chinese Communist Party, which openly seeks to displace the U.S. as the global leader. A dramatic shift is necessary — one that prioritizes American security over financial gain. 

American investors, both public and private, have poured billions into the Chinese economy, accelerating its advancement across critical sectors. Today, China is leveraging these financial resources to mount a strategic challenge to U.S. interests worldwide. Even as China openly states its intentions to replace the U.S.-led global order, American investments continue to fund its economic rise, from industrial production to high-tech research and development and military expansion.  

Brian J. Cavanaugh served as a senior director on the National Security Council and is an executive director at the Department of Homeland Security. Craig Singleton, a former U.S. diplomat, serves as a senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.