27th Parliamentary-Intelligence Security Forum – U.S.-China Relations and Strategy

The discussion examined whether the United States can realistically match China’s global investments dollar for dollar. Dr. Jonathan Ward argued that directly competing with China’s state-backed financing, particularly in large infrastructure projects across Latin America, is neither practical nor necessary. Instead, the U.S. and its allies should apply targeted sanctions and financial pressure on vulnerable parts of China’s state-led system while mobilizing private capital toward sustainable, market-driven opportunities in emerging economies.

Dr. Ward emphasized reshoring, nearshoring, and friend-shoring supply chains away from China to regions such as Latin America and Southeast Asia to promote long-term growth and reduce dependency. Responding to concerns from representatives of Costa Rica and the Philippines, he acknowledged past inconsistencies in U.S. engagement but expressed optimism that stronger leadership and deeper integration through frameworks like USMCA could reinforce regional cooperation.

He also addressed China’s alignment with Russia, Iran, and North Korea, particularly in relation to the war in Ukraine. Rejecting the idea that China has peaked economically, Dr. Ward highlighted its continued dominance in trade and strategic industries. He called for stronger coordination between the U.S. and Europe, enhanced export controls and investment screening, and increased support for Taiwan, concluding that China’s challenge is systemic and requires sustained unity among democratic nations.

Category: U.S.-China Relations and Strategy