Senator Tom Cotton

Both would be very worrisome. Any kind of conflict over Taiwan would be devastating, Ben. It would probably lead to an immediate global depression that would wipe out the life savings of many Americans in the stock market, lead to mass unemployment, shortages on the shelves of American stores.

Both would be very worrisome. Any kind of conflict over Taiwan would be devastating, Ben. It would probably lead to an immediate global depression that would wipe out the life savings of many Americans in the stock market, lead to mass unemployment, shortages on the shelves of American stores.

And part of that reason, as you say, is that Taiwan is the source of more than 60% of all global semiconductor manufacturing, more than 90% of advanced semiconductor manufacturing. It's also that you could expect a complete breakdown of economic ties between China and the United States and the West.

And part of that reason, as you say, is that Taiwan is the source of more than 60% of all global semiconductor manufacturing, more than 90% of advanced semiconductor manufacturing. It's also that you could expect a complete breakdown of economic ties between China and the United States and the West.

And part of that reason, as you say, is that Taiwan is the source of more than 60% of all global semiconductor manufacturing, more than 90% of advanced semiconductor manufacturing. It's also that you could expect a complete breakdown of economic ties between China and the United States and the West.

Unfortunately, we've allowed those ties to grow very deep and therefore we're very dependent on China. So even if there were a conflict that were inconclusive, that reached a stalemate, you would still see, again, an almost immediate global depression that would be devastating for Americans.

Unfortunately, we've allowed those ties to grow very deep and therefore we're very dependent on China. So even if there were a conflict that were inconclusive, that reached a stalemate, you would still see, again, an almost immediate global depression that would be devastating for Americans.

Unfortunately, we've allowed those ties to grow very deep and therefore we're very dependent on China. So even if there were a conflict that were inconclusive, that reached a stalemate, you would still see, again, an almost immediate global depression that would be devastating for Americans.

That's why the only way to prevail in a conflict with Taiwan is to prevent it from happening in the first place, to be strong and confident in the defense of a democratic partner and make it clear to communist China, as we have for a long time, that we will not tolerate any unilateral attempts to invade and annex Taiwan to the mainland.

That's why the only way to prevail in a conflict with Taiwan is to prevent it from happening in the first place, to be strong and confident in the defense of a democratic partner and make it clear to communist China, as we have for a long time, that we will not tolerate any unilateral attempts to invade and annex Taiwan to the mainland.

That's why the only way to prevail in a conflict with Taiwan is to prevent it from happening in the first place, to be strong and confident in the defense of a democratic partner and make it clear to communist China, as we have for a long time, that we will not tolerate any unilateral attempts to invade and annex Taiwan to the mainland.

Well, it does get back to Taiwan. I mean, Douglas MacArthur said in 1950 that if Taiwan were to fall into the hands of a hostile power, it would be a disaster of utmost importance for the United States. Partly it's because of their centrality in the global semiconductor manufacturing chain, but also it's because of their strategic position.

Well, it does get back to Taiwan. I mean, Douglas MacArthur said in 1950 that if Taiwan were to fall into the hands of a hostile power, it would be a disaster of utmost importance for the United States. Partly it's because of their centrality in the global semiconductor manufacturing chain, but also it's because of their strategic position.

Well, it does get back to Taiwan. I mean, Douglas MacArthur said in 1950 that if Taiwan were to fall into the hands of a hostile power, it would be a disaster of utmost importance for the United States. Partly it's because of their centrality in the global semiconductor manufacturing chain, but also it's because of their strategic position.

It's not Hong Kong, it's not Tibet, places where China has also committed egregious crimes. By taking Taiwan, it would turn the so-called first island chain, which goes from Japan to Taiwan to the Philippines, from an obstacle to Chinese ambitions to a springboard. They would have what MacArthur called the unsinkable aircraft carrier and submarine tender.

It's not Hong Kong, it's not Tibet, places where China has also committed egregious crimes. By taking Taiwan, it would turn the so-called first island chain, which goes from Japan to Taiwan to the Philippines, from an obstacle to Chinese ambitions to a springboard. They would have what MacArthur called the unsinkable aircraft carrier and submarine tender.

It's not Hong Kong, it's not Tibet, places where China has also committed egregious crimes. By taking Taiwan, it would turn the so-called first island chain, which goes from Japan to Taiwan to the Philippines, from an obstacle to Chinese ambitions to a springboard. They would have what MacArthur called the unsinkable aircraft carrier and submarine tender.

That would also lead a lot of our friends in the region to start seeking accommodations with China, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia. You'd probably see widespread nuclear proliferation as countries like Japan and South Korea and others start getting nuclear weapons as well, destabilizing the world.

That would also lead a lot of our friends in the region to start seeking accommodations with China, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia. You'd probably see widespread nuclear proliferation as countries like Japan and South Korea and others start getting nuclear weapons as well, destabilizing the world.

That would also lead a lot of our friends in the region to start seeking accommodations with China, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia. You'd probably see widespread nuclear proliferation as countries like Japan and South Korea and others start getting nuclear weapons as well, destabilizing the world.