What is the GREATEST threat to America? Top lawmakers and defense experts reveal what the Biden administration should be most concerned about at home and abroad

Congressional leaders told DailyMail.com what they believe is the biggest threat currently facing the United States during the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California.

China tops the list, but other attackers, including Iran and Russia, and an open southern border are also major concerns.

Rep. Ken Calvert, chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, exclusively told DailyMail.com that China is “our biggest threat.”

“And we need to make sure that we focus our resources and capabilities on combating this threat,” continued Calvert, a California Republican.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, cited Reagan’s annual National Defense Poll, released last week, which found that 51 percent of Americans consider China the “greatest threat to the United States.”

“There is no direct active engagement with China militarily right now,” she told DailyMail.com, but according to the survey, “China’s global expansion – whether militarily or economically – is what really worries Americans.”

House Armed Services Committee member Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., said there is no single major threat, but rather a combination of them.

“I think the biggest threat to the United States is the efforts of Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and various terrorist groups to work together to push us out—to reduce U.S. influence and try to get us out of the Middle East. from Asia, from Europe,” he told DailyMail.com.

The top Democrat explained that the threat is a “coalition” of those countries that are trying to “impose a new world order.”

He cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a major threat that also worries other countries, as well as China’s “territorial plans” around the world.

Additionally, Iran is “destabilizing” governments in the Middle East, which is another major concern for the US.

Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., similarly responded that there were a “range” of threats.

“It’s a combination of several things,” she told DailyMail.com. Obviously when we look at a nation state like China and the influence they gain militarily as well as trade. This is a huge threat to us.”

She said Russia’s “belligerence and aggression” toward Ukraine should be a concern for everyone.

In addition, the US “nuclear competitors” – China and Russia – are its main targets.

“My focus is therefore on these two countries because of the existential threat they pose to our country,” she continued.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, D-Md., said that while there are security concerns overseas, the United States’ own southern border is becoming the “most immediate” threat.

“I still think the southern border is quickly becoming our number one threat. It’s too easy to get here. We don’t catch many of them. And we already know that this is having a devastating impact on our society,” he told DailyMail.com.

But he argued that the most serious threat in terms of national defense strategy is “clearly China.”

“China threatens us not only militarily, but also economically, socially and culturally. They represent a serious threat that we have ignored for decades and are now focusing on,” the senator added.

President and CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute David Trulio told DailyMail.com that China is of greatest concern.

He cited the results of Reagan’s sixth annual National Defense Survey, which showed Americans were most concerned about China.

An overwhelming number of Americans (77 percent) view China as an enemy, while only 15 percent consider the communist state an “ally.” And 42 percent of respondents consider China a “strong” enemy.

This is a stark change from 2018 results, which found that only 55 percent of Americans view China as an enemy and 38 percent as an ally.

The survey results are “a significant contribution to assessing the American public’s position on critical issues related to peace through strength,” said Trulio, who recently led a delegation to Taiwan.

“And the first conclusion is that Americans strongly support the concept of peace through the strength of President Reagan, they support military spending, they support an engaged America around the world, they support the United States, supportive allies and partners – be it Ukraine, Israel or Taiwan. .’

“So it’s very important to recognize that there is wisdom of the American people in terms of a fundamental understanding that an engaged America and an America that helps those who are willing to fight for their own freedom is a good thing.”

The five-day trip to Taiwan focused on exploring the security challenges the state faces, primarily from rising Chinese aggression, as well as strengthening ties between the United States and its friend in the Indo-Pacific region.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke during his keynote address about growing security challenges for the United States.

“We live in difficult times. This includes the major conflicts facing our fellow democracies, Israel and Ukraine; intimidation and coercion by an increasingly assertive China; and the global battle between democracy and autocracy,” he told forum participants.

He added: “And these are times when global security depends on American unity and American strength.”