Adam Smith actually said...

That alternative view is based on autocracy, the idea that democracy doesn't work, freedom doesn't work, you need to have a strong man.

That is a way to stand up to China because together we have half the world's GDP and we are dealing from strength.

I think a priority needs to be how we handle other theaters and other contingencies, including through deterrence.

I would argue that nuclear deterrence is likely to be more rather than less important.