Nebraska Panhandle News

Senator Pete Ricketts, a member of the United States Senate, posted a series of statements on July 25, 2025, highlighting concerns about China's growing role as a global weapons supplier and introducing legislative action in response.

In his first post, Senator Ricketts stated, "Communist China has emerged as a major weapons supplier. This is particularly true in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This development has major implications for American defense companies, our military operations, and our global security partnerships." The senator emphasized the strategic consequences of increased Chinese arms exports for U.S. interests abroad.

Ricketts followed up by referencing recent events involving Chinese weaponry: "The recent Pakistan-India clash saw significant use of Chinese-made weapons. This should be a major wake-up call that we must do more to combat these arms sales. That’s why I’ve introduced the THINK TWICE Act." He cited this regional conflict as evidence of China's expanding influence through arms sales.

In another statement posted the same day, Ricketts outlined proposed legislative measures: "This act requires a coordinated strategy to dissuade new purchases of Chinese-made weapons. It will also ensure our defense industrial base is better equipped to provide alternatives to prospective buyers."

China's rise as an international arms exporter has drawn increasing attention from U.S. policymakers concerned about its impact on global security dynamics and competition with American defense manufacturers. The introduction of legislation such as the THINK TWICE Act reflects ongoing efforts within Congress to address these challenges by promoting alternative sources for military equipment and strengthening domestic industry capabilities.