Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton offered a pointed critique Monday on Fox News of China’s longstanding economic strategies, asserting that Beijing has waged an “economic World War” against the United States.
The comments, which come as President Trump pushes for renewed peace talks between Ukraine and Russia—and hints at eventual meetings with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin—underscore a growing conservative concern over China’s global influence.
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Speaking on the record ahead of the release of his new book, Seven Things You Can’t Say About China, Cotton said, “China has been waging an economic World War against us for decades.”
He detailed that through a combination of subsidizing domestic companies, dumping cheap goods in American markets, and engaging in extensive cyber espionage and forced technology transfers, China has effectively cornered critical manufacturing sectors worldwide.
“The ill-gotten gains from these tactics are not just numbers on a balance sheet,” Cotton continued. “They’re funding the most rapid military buildup in history—a buildup clearly aimed against America.” He warned that rather than fostering a multipolar world, China’s actions are designed to dominate, forcing other nations to “dance to China’s tune.”
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Cotton’s remarks come amid a broader debate over U.S. foreign policy. President Trump, who last week expressed interest in meeting with both Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin while advocating for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, has repeatedly called for a tougher stance on China.
In response to Trump’s outreach, China’s Foreign Ministry recently declared that Beijing will act as a “stabilizing factor” in a multipolar world and continue to be a “constructive force in a changing world.”
Highlighting a key point from his book, Cotton noted that China’s actions are “worse and more dangerous than many Americans realize,” and urged citizens to educate their families—especially their children—about the challenges posed by Chinese economic policies and their potential impact on national security.
Cotton also touched on the controversial subject of Chinese-owned apps such as TikTok. “TikTok isn’t just another social media platform—it’s controlled by the Chinese government,” he argued. “It’s part of a broader strategy to infiltrate our society and influence our youth, and that’s why it’s critical to have open discussions about these threats.”
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When asked about the possibility of reaching a deal over TikTok, Cotton was skeptical. “The law requires TikTok’s parent company to sever ties with the Chinese government entirely,” he said, emphasizing that, in his view, no compromise can be made on national security.
“It’s a wake-up call,” he said. “Normal Americans need to understand that China isn’t playing by the rules—China is reshaping the global order to its own advantage, and we need to be prepared.”
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