donn said:
You don't have to turn the world upside down, to do something.
Everything has Chinese in it? OK, but you can look for things that aren 100% Chinese. Motors made in Taiwan. Batteries made in Japan.
Every dollar that goes to an alternative, strengthens that alternative and makes it more viable. When there's a strong industry making something in, say, Mexico, eventually there will be some factories there making the components that are now Chinese. The Chinese advantage isn't just their labor force, it's the whole ecosystem of component parts that are or can be made there. That used to exist here in the US, and it's going to be a long haul if we or any western country wants to bring that back, but if we don't, we're utterly dependent on China. Can you imagine, if they decided it was time to make their move, and China became an enemy power - our only source for everything we need?
The Chinese advantage isn't just their labor force, it's the whole ecosystem of component parts that are or can be made there. That used to exist here in the US, and it's going to be a long haul if we or any western country wants to bring that back
In this time of dizzyingly rapid changes in the World, little seems to be on the "long road".
Actually, I think you are making China out to be a much stronger player than it is. Today Japan announced that it is earmarking 2 Billion to move production out of China, a tend, prompted by China's raising labor costs, many Countries have been pursuing for a while.
1)China has little in the way of resources,such as productive farm-land and energy.
2)Due to the "One Child" policy, it's demographics are among the worse in the World.
3)China's borders are basicly indefensible.
4)China has no navigable river system to move goods.
Yes, by allowing China to join the WTO and assuming it would be a good faith player was a HUGE mistake, but that is "water under the bridge". But there is one dynamic today that allows China to continue "business as usual", the US Navy. Which brings us back to point 1.
As we reduce our presence in the Gulf of Onan, China's tankers will face a long journey thru dangerous waters passing by a number of Countries that would love nothing better than to poke the Red Dragon in the eye. And despite China's bluster, their Navy cannot protect these routes. Their one Carrier (made in Russia) does not have a a support system that can range much more than 700 miles off shore. It is not a Blue Water Navy.
Although it is not in the World's interest to see China fail, their own actions have seen to it that this will happen. And sooner than anyone can imagine.