Gina Raimondo: Strengthening US alliances is crucial to compete with China, European patience is wearing thin, and China’s economic strategies threaten global markets | Odd Lots

US-China tensions threaten European alliances, impacting global economic stability and security partnerships.

Listen on Odd Lots

Share

Add us on Google by Editorial Team Apr. 6, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Strengthening alliances is essential for the US to effectively compete with China.
• European patience with US military contributions is diminishing.
• The US administration’s approach to China is straining relationships with allies.
• China’s economic strategies pose significant threats to European industries.
• A weak European economy negatively impacts both Europe and the US.
• China’s actions are severely damaging Germany’s industrial base.
• Collaborating with allies is crucial for strengthening supply chains.
• Cozying up with China is risky for Europe and the global community.
• Overregulation and lack of capital markets hinder Europe’s technology ecosystem.
• The current US administration’s China strategy is flawed due to its impact on alliances.
• The interconnectedness of global economies necessitates a strong European market for US interests.
• US-European relations are crucial for addressing global security and economic challenges.
• The geopolitical landscape requires strategic partnerships to counter China’s influence.
• International cooperation is vital for addressing supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Europe’s regulatory environment impacts its technological competitiveness.

Guest intro

Gina Raimondo is a Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. She previously served as the US Secretary of Commerce in the Biden Administration, where she led implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act. Prior to that, she was the first woman governor of Rhode Island.

Why the US needs strong alliances

• The US needs to strengthen its alliances to effectively compete with China.

  — Gina Raimondo

• Alliances with Europe and Southeast Asia are crucial for economic and technological competition.

• I don’t think we can effectively compete with China economically technologically without allies.

  — Gina Raimondo

• The geopolitical landscape demands strong international partnerships.

• They’re just too big, they’re too determined, and so we need allies.

  — Gina Raimondo

• Strengthening alliances is a strategic necessity in global competition.
• The US must prioritize alliances to address China’s economic influence.

• Including Europe by the way including southeast Asia.

  — Gina Raimondo

European patience with the US

• European patience with the US is wearing thin regarding military contributions.

  — Gina Raimondo

• Current US-European relations are strained over military commitments.

• I think their patience is wearing thin with us as somewhat justifiably so.

  — Gina Raimondo

• NATO’s role in global security is a point of contention.
• European leaders express frustration with US military contributions.
• The sentiment reflects broader challenges in transatlantic relations.
• The US must address European concerns to maintain strong alliances.
• Military contributions are a critical aspect of US-European relations.

The impact of US-China relations on allies

• The US administration’s approach to China is damaging relationships with allies.

  — Gina Raimondo

• Strategic missteps in foreign policy have significant consequences.

• I would say pissing off all our allies why it’s just not a good idea.

  — Gina Raimondo

• The importance of alliances in geopolitical strategy is emphasized.

• It’s bad for America, it weakens our allies in Europe.

  — Gina Raimondo

• The US must consider ally relationships in its China strategy.
• Damaged alliances weaken the US’s global position.
• The administration’s strategy needs reevaluation to strengthen alliances.

China’s economic strategy and its global impact

• China’s economic strategy is detrimental to European industries.

  — Gina Raimondo

• Subsidizing and dumping cheap products harm global markets.

• If you look at now what China is doing to Europe… German industrial base is gonna get crushed.

  — Gina Raimondo

• China’s tactics pose significant threats to European economies.
• The impact on Germany’s industrial base is particularly severe.
• China’s market behavior affects global supply chains.
• European industries face challenges from China’s economic practices.
• The global market must address China’s economic influence.

The importance of a strong European economy

• A weak European economy is detrimental to both Europe and the US

  — Gina Raimondo

• Economic strength in Europe is crucial for US interests.

• I personally think a weak European economy and a weak European technology sector is definitely bad for them but also bad for us.

  — Gina Raimondo

• The interconnectedness of global economies is highlighted.
• A strong European market benefits the global economy.
• US interests are tied to European economic health.
• Economic strength in Europe supports global stability.
• The US must support European economic growth.

China’s actions on Germany’s industrial base

• China’s actions are significantly damaging the industrial base of countries like Germany.

  — Gina Raimondo

• The impact of China’s market strategies is significant.

• The damage China is doing right now for their industrial base is significant.

  — Gina Raimondo

• Germany’s industrial competitiveness is at risk.
• China’s influence on global supply chains is concerning.
• The geopolitical implications of China’s actions are critical.
• European industries must address China’s market behavior.
• The global community must respond to China’s economic strategies.

The need for international collaboration on supply chains

• The US should collaborate with allies to strengthen supply chains rather than trying to produce everything domestically.

  — Gina Raimondo

• International cooperation is crucial for supply chain resilience.

• We should be working with our allies to shore up all of these supply chains.

  — Gina Raimondo

• The US cannot and should not produce everything domestically.
• Collaboration with allies strengthens industrial strategy.
• Supply chain vulnerabilities require international solutions.
• The US must prioritize cooperation over isolation.
• Strengthening supply chains benefits global economic stability.

The risks of cozying up with China

• Cozying up with China is detrimental for Europe and the world.

  — Gina Raimondo

• European relations with China pose significant risks.

• I say to them you’re cozying up with China because you’re mad with America.

  — Gina Raimondo

• The geopolitical tensions between the US, Europe, and China are highlighted.
• Cozying up with China is worse for Europe than the US.
• The global community must be cautious in relations with China.
• Strategic partnerships are essential to counter China’s influence.
• Europe must consider the risks of close ties with China.

Europe’s technology ecosystem challenges

• Europe’s technology ecosystem is hindered by overregulation and a lack of capital markets.

  — Gina Raimondo

• Structural challenges impact Europe’s technological development.

• It’s overregulated they don’t have a capital market.

  — Gina Raimondo

• The regulatory environment affects global competitiveness.
• Europe’s technology sector faces significant hurdles.
• The lack of capital markets limits technological growth.
• Overregulation stifles innovation in Europe.
• Addressing these challenges is crucial for global competitiveness.

Flaws in the current US administration’s China strategy

• The current administration’s strategy towards China is flawed due to its impact on relationships with allies.

  — Gina Raimondo

• The strategy weakens alliances critical for countering China.

• I think probably the biggest mistake of the current administration’s China strategy… is hurting our relationship with allies.

  — Gina Raimondo

• Alliances are necessary for effective geopolitical strategy.
• The administration’s approach requires reevaluation.
• Strengthening relationships with allies is crucial.
• The US must prioritize alliances in its China strategy.
• The current strategy’s impact on alliances is concerning.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.