The TRade War we cant afford to Lose
As an American citizen I have been conditioned to believe that China is my enemy. In fact I have taken that a step further and studied this nation in preparation that one day I will be prepared if I have to battle said enemy. What's interesting to find out is that my nation did not lie to me. China is my enemy in fact all the products that I love and consume are partnered with my supposed enemy. The evil communist regime. Apple is my favorite tech company. All my favorite clothing brands are outsourced to China. So why would I let a bureaucrat or some American politician convince me that these producers of all of America's goods are my enemy. Truth is they are the commerce enemy they keep us dependent on their manufacturing drug and their output, but we cannot fall for that much longer. In 2025 the discussion is being had on all platforms that we are about to loosen China’s grip and our president agrees. The question is will it be that easy?
The enemy idea is in the minds of millions of Americans, but what we have found that many of our fortune 500 companies have a rather cozy relationship with the CCP. Apple, Microsoft, Nike, Boeing, Tesla, Starbucks, Intel, Qualcomm, Ford, and GM to name a few. There is no way that this could be a hostile relationship. Enemy territory. Yet every politician wants me to believe this. They constantly try to program the minds of American citizens as if our country is under attack by China. How could this be? Why would a production giant like China mess up deals with American companies by trying to be an isolated power. Their power comes from the interaction amongst the nations. These cooperative practices being displayed manufacturing, production, the sharing of ideas, and tech is how they stay relevant. So I question why is my government trying to make me believe that they are my enemy?
The Biden administration made it clear when they isolated China with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. This created strategic partnerships with countries other than China in the Pacific, specifically Vietnam. This was used to find the new China, a country that loves democracy, a country that has a lower labor wage and a country that will not cause an economic conflict with the United States. It was a shrewd and brilliant move, one that the Trump administration is following up with. If all these major companies have partnered with the CCP, what's the problem now? Many would argue that it's the shift in CCP policy, the aggressive encroachment they want all the trade secrets, eventually pushing the companies out. The biggest problem is counterfeit goods and China’s inability to or lack of wanting to crack down on this illicit trade. In this sense I wholeheartedly agree with my politicians. I express these concerns.
China has always been making something. In fact , all my life everything has been made in China. We paid it no mind under the spell of American consumption geo politics meant absolutely nothing to the average consumer. With the rise of social media and the transparency of the Trump administration the Chinese manufacturing and production bubble is on the big screen. That makes us deep dive as Americans we want to understand this precocious relationship. It makes me nervous and it makes me look at China in a sinister way. Why should a communist country who is clearly not our ally have so much power? It's probably a question asked in the halls of the pentagon, the white house, the CIA , and every other significant think tank in D.C. , but no one has the answer. Until now President Trump is crafty in a way that may seem chaotic. I’m still trying to figure out whether his pressure is intentional or unintentional or whether he's forcing people away from China. I know that China has a large population and they are really innovative in tech, especially AI. So can they withstand an all out blockade, a true economic blockade. The Trump administration is leaning towards weakening their power strategically with tariffs over time. On the surface it seems that the Americans people will lose I mean we all live off made in China. Sooner or later every cozy relationship must change. At some point in time it will be over. Other manufacturers will emerge and hopefully one day our country will find its manufacturing legs. Maybe it was ideal to start this war of commerce with China. Most wars make you think. Pressure is gratifying because you find more ways to operate. Better routes of trade: newer business partners who see things just like you who think just like you. This is what is important. Never in my lifetime has my country ever not been the strongest in the world. That remains to be the case. China with all its trade might and its strategic product manufacturing is elite. That still does not put them in position to overthrow the most diverse and populated nation in the world. We have too many options and that is good. We are going to win this trade war thanks to smart policies like the tariffs whether you believe in them or not. Thanks to the interesting ways the american consumer shops we all have some sort of American pride we are all raised to be hustlers and bargain shoppers. We know that China will never monopolize our consumption and I don't think our elected officials will allow this either, especially not the Trump administration.
