According to a video released by the US Indo-Pacific Strategy Partnership Forum (USISPF) recently, US Republican Sen. Steve Daines said during a dialogue that the United States cannot be “disengaged” from China, but should maintain contact while “reducing risks”. He also used his own experience of carrying a mobile phone during visits to illustrate the difference in the “degree of trust” between the United States and China/India. He mentioned that he would leave his mobile phone in Washington during his visit to China, while he would carry it with him when visiting India.
Dynes said that Sino-US relations are “too important to fail”. He stated that China and the United States are the two largest economies in the world, accounting for approximately 42% of the world's economy. They also represent the two largest military forces in the world. Therefore, the United States cannot “detach” itself from China and should continue to maintain contact with China.
"We need to maintain contact with China, and although we need to reduce the risks, we still must keep in touch," he said.
However, Daines also advocated that the United States should proactively develop new strategic partnerships to address the challenges posed by China's rise. He argued that the United States needs a "highly trustworthy balancing force," and India is precisely such a role.
Screenshots of Daines's speech video
When talking about his different views on China and India, Daines picked up his phone and started to act out his remarks.
Every time I go to China, this phone won't come with me to Beijing. It will always be on the office table in Washington D.C. But if I go to New Delhi or any other place in India, this phone will carry me along.
He argued that this detail reflects India as a “highly trustworthy ally and friend” of the United States, something he could not do during his visit to China.
Danez also said that he has visited China many times. But looking around the world, “only one country can rival China in terms of the scale and size of its innovation ecosystem,” and that country is “India working with the United States”.
In recent years, Dennis has been advocating for deepening strategic cooperation between the United States and India. He has frequently referred to India as a "trustworthy ally and friend" of the United States, and he has advocated that US-India cooperation is an important pillar in addressing China's rise and building what he calls "strategic balance."
