Rep. Krishnamoorthi Warns Iran War Weakens US in Asia

Summary

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi argues US trade and foreign policy are creating economic and geopolitical risks, from higher gasoline to weakened deterrence in Asia. He warns Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz could push US gasoline toward $5 and that the Iran war is depleting munitions needed to deter China over Taiwan. He also covers Venezuela, Russia/NATO risk, and calls for more Patriot missile coproduction and disaster aid to Nepal.

• Canada tariffs are called taxes on Americans at a time of $4 gas and inflation, with Illinois export exposure vulnerable to retaliation.
• Iran is described as having no military solution but economic leverage via the Strait of Hormuz, risking a rise from $4 to $5 US gasoline.
• Venezuela oil policy is criticized as likely to boomerang and increase Chinese influence in the Americas.
• The Iran war is said to be depleting Patriot, THAAD, SM-3 and other munitions and pulling assets from the Indo-Pacific.
• The speaker warns weakened US deterrence could invite Chinese aggression and raise Taiwan invasion risk before Xi's 2027 PLA readiness deadline.
• He calls for coproduction of Patriot missiles and other air defenses and says activating Starlink in Russia would be a game changer for Ukraine.
• The US response to Nepal's flood disaster is criticized as too small after the collapse of USAID.