The argument seems to be:

* Destroy the free internet in the US, ban VPNs in the US, assume enforcement of this is effective, ban frontier AI development in the US (probably needs at least one constitutional amendment)

* Assume no other countries will continue to develop AI and approach or push the frontier

* Then, the frontier ceases to move until the US companies agree to let it move again

...

I don't think anyone proposing a "pause" has studied politics or game theory even at a high school level.