Trump tips the balance towards China in trade war

Thirty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall signaled capitalism's triumph, China has emerged as the world's industrial powerhouse. Once a largely agrarian nation, Beijing's strategic planning has propelled it to near-complete dominance in refining nearly every mineral and in global manufacturing.

China's automotive industry is poised to lead the global electric vehicle market, a sector where Western nations' reliance on internal combustion engines is seen as a misstep. The country also leads in electrification, having actively pursued climate change solutions while the West debated the science.

From solar panels and battery manufacturing to wind turbines, China controls significant markets. Now, it is challenging America's technological supremacy, with its artificial intelligence models potentially matching Silicon Valley giants in sophistication at a fraction of the cost. These advancements are the result of decades of consistent policy, unhindered by political opposition or human rights concerns.

Deng Xiaoping's 1992 observation, 'The Middle East has oil. China has rare earths,' highlighted the strategic importance of resources China possessed in abundance. This foresight has enabled China to wield significant power.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump believes China exploited free trade rules and engaged in industrial espionage. His proposed solution involves shutting down these avenues, repatriating U.S. firms through threats and incentives, and erecting a protective tariff wall around the U.S. economy. However, the article suggests China has utilized every available means to achieve its current standing.

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The Middle East has oil. China has rare earths.