Rep. Dusty Johnson, a South Dakota Republican serving his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, is sounding alarms about what he describes as American complacency in addressing the geopolitical and economic challenge posed by China. Johnson made the comments during an interview with Fox News Digital at Freedom Fest in Las Vegas.
Johnson has emerged as a leading voice on agricultural policy and US-China relations during his time in Congress. He previously served as chairman of the Republican Main Street Caucus, a group of center-right Republicans focused on pragmatic governance.
What the Left Is Saying
Some progressive voices argue that framing China primarily as a threat risks oversimplifying complex international dynamics and could lead to costly policy mistakes. Critics suggest that bipartisanship around China hawkishness sometimes obscures legitimate questions about military spending, trade policies, and diplomatic engagement strategies. Others contend that domestic investment in infrastructure, education, and workforce development would strengthen American competitiveness more effectively than aggressive posturing abroad. These voices often call for nuanced approaches that balance national security concerns with economic cooperation where interests align.
What the Right Is Saying
"I think the biggest mistake is that we're basically sleepwalking through this competition," Johnson said in the interview. "Every day the leaders of China get up and they try to figure out how to beat America, how to destabilize our country, how to get an advantage." The congressman argued that political divisions within the United States are distracting from the strategic challenge posed by Beijing. "We're frankly in this country spending more time fighting one another than we are trying to think about how to compete with the Chinese Communist Party," he added.
What the Numbers Show
China is currently the world's second-largest economy and largest trading partner for many nations. The U.S. trade deficit with China reached $355 billion in 2023, according to Census Bureau data. Defense spending comparisons show the United States allocated approximately $886 billion to defense in fiscal year 2024, while China's official military budget was reported at roughly $224 billion, though Western analysts often estimate actual spending is significantly higher due to different accounting methods. Congressional Research Service reports indicate China has made substantial investments in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and semiconductor manufacturing as part of its stated goal of achieving technological self-sufficiency by 2030.
The Bottom Line
Johnson's comments reflect broader bipartisan concern about US-China relations, though approaches differ significantly between parties. His warning comes as Congress continues debating legislation related to technology restrictions, tariff policies, and strategic competition with Beijing. What remains clear is that the China question will remain a central foreign policy debate in Washington regardless of which party controls the legislative agenda.