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Reducing dependencies on rivals is a good idea. China is doing it because they know what they would do if they hold the dependency of a rival (like the US) firm

Reducing dependencies on rivals is a good idea. China is doing it because they know what they would do if they hold the dependency of a rival (like the US) firmly in hand. The US should take very serious heed of this because if we are too dependant on China for something critical it will eventually come to bite us. The supply troubles caused by the pandemic are a tiny foreshadowing of what will happen if we ever find ourselves too dependent on something important from a country like China.

cudgy 5y ago
This is far too logical for the United States to implement. People want cheap stuff and companies want cheap manufacturing. It took the great political shock of an unstable outsider getting elected as President of the United States who was not afraid to counter the globalists and a pandemic to alert the citizens of glaring shortages of manufacturing capacity to finally bring this issue into discussion. However, it appears this realization will not be enough to alter course and begin manufacturing more products at higher cost in the United States. What realistic measures beyond tariffs can accomplish a shift toward a reduction of US dependency on China? A dependency which creates more risk for not only the US but the world as a whole due to the obvious potential for conflicts that will arise when China uses their manufacturing prowess to apply the screws to the many nations that depend on it.
- mgkimsal 5y ago
  US (and maybe Canada too?) fostering IT infrastructure plants in Central America. The whole "huge migrant forces leaving Central America for the US" (to the extent that it's a factor) could be stemmed with more infrastructure jobs there. The IT infrastructure we need to maintain independence from larger potential adversaries. Intel and others have some chip manufacturing in some Central American locations - increase that. Increase chip and other IT related manufacturing plants closer to our hemisphere. Lift up these economies closer to home - reduce shipping/transit costs. Tax policies that favor more IT manufacturing in Central America may already be in place. If not, put in place. If there, tweak some levers to increase activity to closer to our borders and further away from countries that are gaining too much control over strategic resources.
  - cudgy 5y ago
    Not sure there is enough talent in many of those countries to staff IT related manufacturing. Migrating investment to Latin and South America is certainly a better direction from the perspective of businesses under an environment where investment in China is discouraged as they gain the protection afforded by the Monroe Doctrine. However, it still does not adequately address the weak manufacturing industry within the United States and it’s ability to produce necessary goods when global trade is impacted by a shock event like a pandemic or war.
mvc 5y ago
How much do you think the GDP of China would be impacted if there was nothing left of NATO to buy their wares? We're all dependent on each other. This retreat into isolationism just presents an illusion of non-dependency. We need to start thinking more collectively

cudgy 5y ago

This is far too logical for the United States to implement. People want cheap stuff and companies want cheap manufacturing. It took the great political shock of an unstable outsider getting elected as President of the United States who was not afraid to counter the globalists and a pandemic to alert the citizens of glaring shortages of manufacturing capacity to finally bring this issue into discussion. However, it appears this realization will not be enough to alter course and begin manufacturing more products at higher cost in the United States. What realistic measures beyond tariffs can accomplish a shift toward a reduction of US dependency on China? A dependency which creates more risk for not only the US but the world as a whole due to the obvious potential for conflicts that will arise when China uses their manufacturing prowess to apply the screws to the many nations that depend on it.

mgkimsal 5y ago
US (and maybe Canada too?) fostering IT infrastructure plants in Central America. The whole "huge migrant forces leaving Central America for the US" (to the extent that it's a factor) could be stemmed with more infrastructure jobs there. The IT infrastructure we need to maintain independence from larger potential adversaries. Intel and others have some chip manufacturing in some Central American locations - increase that. Increase chip and other IT related manufacturing plants closer to our hemisphere. Lift up these economies closer to home - reduce shipping/transit costs. Tax policies that favor more IT manufacturing in Central America may already be in place. If not, put in place. If there, tweak some levers to increase activity to closer to our borders and further away from countries that are gaining too much control over strategic resources.
- cudgy 5y ago
  Not sure there is enough talent in many of those countries to staff IT related manufacturing. Migrating investment to Latin and South America is certainly a better direction from the perspective of businesses under an environment where investment in China is discouraged as they gain the protection afforded by the Monroe Doctrine. However, it still does not adequately address the weak manufacturing industry within the United States and it’s ability to produce necessary goods when global trade is impacted by a shock event like a pandemic or war.

mvc 5y ago

How much do you think the GDP of China would be impacted if there was nothing left of NATO to buy their wares? We're all dependent on each other. This retreat into isolationism just presents an illusion of non-dependency. We need to start thinking more collectively