As in dealing with Iraq, until freedom at home renders it a benign power, deterrence and determination are essential for coping with the Chinese Communist dictatorship. Well, if China seeks to be respected as a great power in the world, it needs to be a rule acceptor. In recent weeks, the Administration has removed all pressure on China not to peddle technology related to weapons of mass destruction or missiles to carry them. While commerce takes precedence over national security for this Administration when it comes to China, the money that really talks is that which buys policy decisions. We should stop acting like China holds all the cards in our relationship, as we have in the areas of human rights and proliferation.
American credibility is at stake.
If the Chinese are sensitive to losing face, then we should take advantage of that fact and let retribution about failure to live up to the civilized world's standards sting. In short, the slide in American preparedness and prestige seen in defense, Iraq, and China policy amount to a pattern of neglect and appeasement. Then came the financial meltdown in Asia. Some of you may recall several years ago when this Administration pleaded for U.S. taxpayers to bailout Mexico. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin said this was not going to set a precedent.