Bradley Thayer

So much depends, of course, on what President Trump chooses to do with the tariffs that he might impose on China.

Greater levels of tariffs, of course.

And so we'll have to see with respect to that.

But there's no no escape really for the the Chinese economy.

At the same time, that doesn't keep them from spending money on defense.

They've announced this year they're further increasing defense spending, and we've seen tremendous growth.

What leaders of strategic command have termed breathtaking expansions in their nuclear capabilities, as well as their conventional capabilities, as well as their aggression in the South China Sea against the Philippines that we're witnessing almost on a daily basis.

So, the regime is in trouble, and that obviously is a cause of great concern in Taiwan, among our allies in Japan and the Philippines, and of course for the Trump administration.

Yeah, it already has.

I think that we want to keep in mind when we're thinking about communist China, we want to keep in mind that Xi Jinping has priorities.

His priority is first his own survival and his continuation of his rule.

Secondly, the rule of the party has to continue.

That's absolutely essential.

Then thirdly, there are going to be maybe desirable goals like the military has to be, of course, supported.

And the security services have to be supported.

And we move beyond that, there are going to be desirable goals, perhaps, like prosperity or resources that they can devote to other countries.

But the Belt and Road Initiative, of course, is dependent upon not only the economic element, Dave, but also the strategic element.

So the Belt and Road Initiative advances China's, the PRC's strategic goals, as well as, of course, their economic goals.

Partially, but the economic is definitely secondary to the idea of gaining influence in countries around the world, from Africa to Polynesia, for example, Europe, South America, etc.

But nothing is going to stop their aggression.