Sen. McCormick on U.S. Supremacy Over China

During an interview at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit, Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) expressed confidence that America would prevail against China in the ongoing global supremacy competition. He emphasized the significant role Pennsylvania plays in enhancing the nation’s defense capabilities, which he noted is a priority for President Trump.

When discussing China’s position in this global race, McCormick acknowledged that while China has “many advantages,” the U.S. would emerge victorious. He stated, “If I had to choose between our hand and China’s in this fight for global superpower status, I’d definitely choose ours. But it really hinges on our actions.” He reflected on past government and trade policy decisions, which he described as “bad decisions” that have weakened domestic industries like steel production and shipbuilding, thus putting the U.S. in a vulnerable situation.

However, McCormick believes that under Trump’s leadership, things are changing rapidly. He highlighted the administration’s emphasis on “peace through strength” and the return of advanced manufacturing jobs to America, particularly in Pennsylvania.

“An example is the Nippon U.S. Steel deal,” he said. “I discussed this with the president, and he was onboard.” McCormick pointed out that there is now a $14 billion investment in domestic steel manufacturing, which includes the construction of a new steel mill in the Monongahela Valley, the first of its kind in 50 years.

“This is just a glimpse of the significant capital influx we’re seeing, and this defense summit aims to build on that,” the senator noted. He elaborated on the need for traditional defense manufacturing, like artillery shells in Scranton, alongside advancements such as unmanned aerial vehicles and hypersonics, asserting that Pennsylvania can lead the way in these innovations.