China has long pressured countries economically as needed. Now is the time to deter autocrats

This debate piece argues that autocratic regimes have learned to weaponize economic interdependence, a tactic that free nations must counter. The authors propose the creation of an "economic Article 5" for democracies, drawing a parallel to NATO's collective defense clause, to deter authoritarian powers.

The core intention behind such an economic pact would be deterrence. The piece highlights the current global landscape, marked by the rise of autocrats such as Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, Xi Jinping with his ambitions in Taiwan and the South China Sea, and Iran's global export of terrorism. North Korea's role in supplying drones to Russia further illustrates the interconnectedness of these autocratic actions.

Instead of advocating for less openness among democratic nations, the authors contend that the solution lies in a unified economic front. This approach aims to create a strong disincentive for autocracies to engage in aggressive or destabilizing economic practices against free nations. The article suggests that the time has come for democracies to actively push back against these authoritarian pressures.