Republican Candidates Discuss China Threats in First Presidential Debate

Some candidates at the first Republican presidential debate said more time should be spent on China’s threats against the United States.

(L-R) Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum participate in the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on Aug. 23, 2023. Win McNamee/Getty Images

The eight candidates at the first Republican presidential debate in Wisconsin discussed China’s threats against the United States, but some said more time should be spent on the issue.

“China is the No. 1 threat to our country and every minute that these candidates spend talking about the past instead of about the future is … you know who loves it? [President Joe] Biden loves it, but China loves it,” said North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum during the debate, when answering a question about Jan. 6.