Why a Chinese cruiser would not revive the Iowas

Would the US Navy propose another Iowa rebuild to counter a Chinese large surface combatant?

No; a new large combatant derived from modern designs or expanded carrier capacity would be more plausible than the enormous cost of reactivating the Iowas.

Another Iowa reactivation is rejected as a practical response because it would require an enormous expenditure. Suggested alternatives include a larger Zumwalt-derived hull with nuclear propulsion or more carrier construction capacity. Expanding existing carrier yards is judged cheaper than beginning a new nuclear-cruiser programme, although still expensive. Clarke defends Zumwalt's basic hull and power plant while blaming unsuccessful added systems and procurement decisions for its reputation. He argues that continuing that hull offered more useful development potential than the Littoral Combat Ship programme.