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I think we should all keep something in mind before we go celebrate the end of globalization. If we go on a rampage pulling manufacturing and capital out of Chi

I think we should all keep something in mind before we go celebrate the end of globalization. If we go on a rampage pulling manufacturing and capital out of China while simultaneously blaming them for the pandemic, in a few years we’ll end up seeing a nation with a shattered economy, a pissed off populace, and the largest and most well supplied army on Earth. Rhetoric tends to devolve into a limited decision matrix when we should be trying to expand the tree instead. Diplomacy works, anger doesn’t.

draw_down 6y ago
Who is “we”? I don’t make any decisions about where any factories operate.
spangry 6y ago
On the other hand, it's difficult to be diplomatic when one side is so belligerent, sensitive and petty. China has started imposing trade sanctions on my country (Australia) because our Prime Minister had the audacity to suggest there should be an independent inquiry into the origin of COVID-19. Meanwhile, they see fit to interfere in our domestic and political affairs through various front organisations, bribery and even directly through their embassy and ambassador in Australia. People are fast growing tired of China's aggressive and abusive approach to 'diplomacy'.
- luckylion 6y ago
  That's fair-ish for Australia (but then again, Australia is part of the five eyes, so essentially a part of US global policy), but less so for the US. I believe most people see US <=> China in conflict, they don't really consider China <=> Australia, Vietnam or Japan.
  - ladyanita22 6y ago
    The world (and the west) is not us only
    - luckylion 6y ago
      Absolutely, I just wanted to point out that e.g. China <=> Australia is most likely not considered it's own conflict, but rather a subconflict of China <=> US, as Australia is part of the US bloc, just like every other Western nation and close allies in Asia. China <=> Russia would be considered a different conflict, as few people believe that Russia would be acting as a proxy for the US.
TMWNN 6y ago
The United States has no obligation whatsoever to enrich China, especially at its own expense. Your argument is a half step up from "she was dressed like she was asking for it".
- 9nGQluzmnq3M 6y ago
  Trade is not a zero sum game, it enriches both parties. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage
  - TMWNN 6y ago
    I am well aware of the benefits of free trade and comparative advantage. Such benefits do not, however, take into account the requirement of at least some degree of self-sufficiency in terms of national security, both in immediate defense applications, and maintaining manufacturing capability and capacity for the longer term. Such benefits also do not take into account China's rapacious appetite for stealing American technology. I am glad that the US government is finally taking a stand.
jjoonathan 6y ago
The problem was ignored for years in the name of diplomacy. It festered and metastasized.
fartcannon 6y ago
Someone somewhere is playing to win, though. You can only successfully use diplomacy from a position of power. I think some of the sabre rattling is an attempt to suggest power.
bigpumpkin 6y ago
"in a few years we’ll end up seeing a nation with a shattered economy, a pissed off populace, and the largest and most well supplied army on Earth." I wouldn't make such a dire prediction about the future of America.
Craighead 6y ago
Oh no! A shattered authoritarian country that routinely steals IP from the rest of the world and consistently ruins the lives of its own folk will be angry? Please.

draw_down 6y ago

Who is “we”? I don’t make any decisions about where any factories operate.

spangry 6y ago

On the other hand, it's difficult to be diplomatic when one side is so belligerent, sensitive and petty. China has started imposing trade sanctions on my country (Australia) because our Prime Minister had the audacity to suggest there should be an independent inquiry into the origin of COVID-19. Meanwhile, they see fit to interfere in our domestic and political affairs through various front organisations, bribery and even directly through their embassy and ambassador in Australia. People are fast growing tired of China's aggressive and abusive approach to 'diplomacy'.

luckylion 6y ago
That's fair-ish for Australia (but then again, Australia is part of the five eyes, so essentially a part of US global policy), but less so for the US. I believe most people see US <=> China in conflict, they don't really consider China <=> Australia, Vietnam or Japan.
- ladyanita22 6y ago
  The world (and the west) is not us only
  - luckylion 6y ago
    Absolutely, I just wanted to point out that e.g. China <=> Australia is most likely not considered it's own conflict, but rather a subconflict of China <=> US, as Australia is part of the US bloc, just like every other Western nation and close allies in Asia. China <=> Russia would be considered a different conflict, as few people believe that Russia would be acting as a proxy for the US.

TMWNN 6y ago

The United States has no obligation whatsoever to enrich China, especially at its own expense. Your argument is a half step up from "she was dressed like she was asking for it".

9nGQluzmnq3M 6y ago
Trade is not a zero sum game, it enriches both parties. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage
- TMWNN 6y ago
  I am well aware of the benefits of free trade and comparative advantage. Such benefits do not, however, take into account the requirement of at least some degree of self-sufficiency in terms of national security, both in immediate defense applications, and maintaining manufacturing capability and capacity for the longer term. Such benefits also do not take into account China's rapacious appetite for stealing American technology. I am glad that the US government is finally taking a stand.

jjoonathan 6y ago

The problem was ignored for years in the name of diplomacy. It festered and metastasized.

fartcannon 6y ago

Someone somewhere is playing to win, though. You can only successfully use diplomacy from a position of power. I think some of the sabre rattling is an attempt to suggest power.

bigpumpkin 6y ago

"in a few years we’ll end up seeing a nation with a shattered economy, a pissed off populace, and the largest and most well supplied army on Earth." I wouldn't make such a dire prediction about the future of America.

Craighead 6y ago

Oh no! A shattered authoritarian country that routinely steals IP from the rest of the world and consistently ruins the lives of its own folk will be angry? Please.