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U.S. Preparing For War With China?

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Tensions are escalating at a rapid rate.

On Wednesday, House lawmakers were briefed on the growing threat China poses to the U.S. and its allies, particularly concerning Taiwan. As China continues to challenge U.S. interests and global stability, its military capabilities have reached alarming levels, signaling that a potential conflict over Taiwan is becoming more likely by the year 2027.

China’s defense industry is now operating on a “wartime footing,” and its shipbuilding capacity is an astounding 230 times greater than that of the United States. With this kind of power, many analysts fear a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could occur sooner than expected. While the U.S. has long remained vague about its commitment to defend Taiwan, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) recently simulated a scenario in which the U.S. and its allies—Taiwan and Japan—successfully repel a Chinese amphibious assault, but at a high cost.

During the simulation, U.S. forces suffered significant losses, including 10 to 20 warships, two aircraft carriers, hundreds of planes, and over 3,000 troops within the first three weeks of fighting. In contrast, China would lose 90% of its amphibious fleet, dozens of warships, and over 160 warplanes. While Taiwan would hold its ground, the simulation demonstrated the necessity for immediate U.S. involvement, highlighting that waiting even two weeks could result in China establishing a firm foothold on the island.

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The war games identified several key takeaways. First, Taiwan must be prepared to hold off a ground invasion without relying on gradual U.S. intervention, which was not an option in this conflict. Second, military operations would need to be coordinated through Japan, as South Korea has not authorized U.S. forces to launch combat missions from its territory. Third, there is an urgent need to boost the U.S. production of anti-ship missiles, which are crucial to Taiwan’s defense.

One of the biggest lessons from the simulations is that the U.S. must act swiftly to prevent China from taking Taiwan. With China’s military growing stronger and outproducing the U.S. in critical areas like planes, ships, and missiles, America’s military must be better prepared for the next phase of this geopolitical struggle. For Taiwan to stand a chance, both U.S. and Taiwanese forces must prioritize smaller, more mobile ships and cost-effective munitions over large, easily targeted warships.

As China’s expansionist ambitions grow, and with Taiwan on the front lines, the U.S. must make its strategic response clear. Whether under President Trump or a future administration, the need for robust deterrence is critical. Taiwan cannot afford to be left unprotected, and the U.S. must ensure it is ready to defend its allies in the Pacific.