WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, Senator Rick Scott wrote an op-ed for The Hill following the tragic and horrific assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote,

“As the world continues to grapple with the sudden and senseless loss of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, many, including myself, have offered their thoughts on his legacy as a leader.

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He was an unapologetic believer in the power of democracy and one of the strongest voices in support of freedom across the Info-Pacific.

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He was particularly a champion for peace through strength, and stood up for Taiwan against Communist China’s aggression.

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To honor the incredible legacy and work of Shinzo Abe, we must carry forward his vision for democracy, peace through strength and prosperity across the region.

The day before Abe was assassinated, I was in Tokyo to meet with private sector leaders, high-ranking officials in the Japanese government, and American military members stationed there.

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Shinzo Abe was not afraid of Communist China’s threats. He knew that bowing to bullies like General Secretary Xi Jinping only weakens the power of democratic alliances and our rules-based global order.

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With Abe now gone from the scene, President Biden must make serious adjustments in his posture toward Communist China...

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President Biden must acknowledge and be clear, as I and many others have, that we are in the midst of a New Cold War with Communist China.

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First, Biden must end his attempts to slash funding for our nation’s military. In both of Biden’s proposed budgets since taking office, he has suggested such inadequate defense spending that even members of his own party have ignored his proposals.

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Second, President Biden must recalibrate his approach to U.S. – Chinese trade... I believe, as stated in my plan to Rescue America, that we ought to gradually end all imports from Communist China until a new regime honors basic human rights and freedoms.

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He can start by ditching his $52 BILLION “Chips Bill” which has horribly weak language that doesn’t expressly prohibit the tens of billions of dollars in spending it authorizes from being spent in Communist China.

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Biden must also stop the sale of U.S. oil to Communist China, and urge the private sector to end reliance on Chinese manufacturing.

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If we can isolate Communist China, shrink its influence and eliminate the threats it poses to the world, we will improve the national security of the U.S. and our allies.

Through strong military and trade alliances, the United States has the ability to create a world that is independent of Communist China... Shinzo Abe worked to advance these goals. To honor his legacy, we must seize the opportunity now to carry his legacy into the future.”

Read the full op-ed in The Hill HERE.

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