Why Was China Not Discussed in the US Presidential Debate?

You can’t say the debate was productive. The problem of how to protect world peace and stability is urgent because autocratic, power-loving nations threaten the international order with their continued actions.

Watching the world’s No. 1 major economic and military nation, we had hoped that the first thing the U.S. presidential candidates discussed would be their readiness and concrete policies.

This was the first televised debate between President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate. The main themes were domestic issues, including economic and immigration measures and abortion.

All of these are major subjects that directly affect and concern the lives of the American people, and it is reasonable to discuss them. On the other hand, it is problematic that there was no discussion about China, the primary cause of disturbance to the international order.

China is increasing pressure on the administration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te without ruling out the use of military force against Taiwan. It is also continuing its aggressive military expansion in the South China Sea, intensifying friction with the Philippines. China is also a threat from the standpoint of economic security, including allegations of stealing high tech.

We hope that future debates, including the one scheduled in September, will address attitudes and policies regarding China.

The discussion of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine went no deeper.

“No major war in Europe has ever been able to be contained just to Europe … this kind of dislocation [invasion] has a serious threat to the whole world peace,” Biden said, emphasizing the significance of his administration’s support for Ukraine.

Trump criticized Biden, saying that “if we had a real president … that was respected by Putin… he would have never invaded Ukraine.” Trump further asserted that he “would have that war settled … as president-elect,” but neither candidate has expressed any concrete plan for effecting the Russian military’s complete withdrawal or peace.

The debate also failed to address the situation in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

Trump asserted that Israel should be allowed to “finish the job.” He shared his own theory that had he been president, the fighting in Gaza would not have happened.

During the debate, the candidates attacked each other as the “worst president” in history and accused each other of telling “lies.” It is disappointing that the personal attacks stood out, rather than a debate over policy.