Letter to the editor: China is serious threat to US

Letter-writer David Bastl reasonably indicated that “China is our enemy.” I would consider China to be a serious threat to the United States.

Consider the following headlines from various sources from 2018 to the present:

“With Ships and Missiles, China Is Ready to Challenge U.S. Navy in Pacific”

“China Commissions 2nd Aircraft Carrier, Challenging U.S. Dominance”

“Chinese aircraft carrier sailed past Taiwan over the weekend in a show of strength as the U.S. Navy struggles with Coronavirus”

“Coronavirus Drives the U.S. and China Deeper into Global Power Struggle”

“President Donald Trump and some of his officials are flirting with an outlier theory that the new Coronavirus was set loose on the world by a Chinese lab that let it escape”

“Coronavirus Spurs U.S. Efforts to End China’s Chokehold on Drugs”

“Chinese to buy pork giant Smithfield; $7.1B deal with firm is country’s biggest U.S. takeover”

“Smithfield temporarily shuts pork plant after 80-plus employees contract Coronavirus”

To put the above into perspective, we know that:

• China has shown no inclination to help control the pandemic, which by all indications had its origin in China.

• China has a huge, powerful military, with more than five aircraft carriers designed for battle, not to haul freight.

• China as a major source of medication jeopardizes our health care.

• China has a large population that consumes more food than can be produce internally; the U.S. is the world’s largest food producer.

I’d urge President Trump and Congress to “connect the dots” and deal with the threat posed by China.

Wayne Baughman

Salem