Should We Trade With China?
The debate over whether the United States should continue trading with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime or sever ties, or even take measures to mitigate the risks of trading with them, remains contentious. Since 1949, China has been under the control of the CCP, which does not represent the interests of the Chinese people.
Should we engage in trade with a regime that prioritizes the preservation of the CCP over the overall interests of the country and its people? Should we trade with a regime that instills fear among its populace, conducts surveillance on minority groups, and monitors all citizens around the clock?
The CCP regime exploits forced labor and lacks proper quality control in producing cheap goods. Should we trade with a regime that engages in such practices? The CCP openly steals intellectual property from other countries, restricts international investments and trade, and limits the entry of international students into China. Should we trade with such a regime? The CCP suppresses all religions, restricts freedom of speech, and silences any criticism against it. Should we trade with such a regime?
The CCP regime forcibly harvests organs from live individuals and deceives the world about these horrific murders. Should we continue trading with such a regime? The CCP perpetrates transnational suppression of Chinese people and stifles dissidents. Should we still trade with such a regime?
The CCP establishes police stations in other countries, forcing overseas Chinese to pledge allegiance to them. The CCP seeks to dominate global trade through its “Belt and Road” initiative, using debt traps to secure rare earth minerals in developing countries. Where is the reciprocity in dealing with the CCP?
The CCP has set up so-called Confucius Institutes in several universities in Western countries. Confucius, a philosopher who talked about filial piety and other virtues of self-cultivation, has no relation to the CCP’s Institutes which spread misinformation, conceal CCP atrocities, and should be renamed as Communist Party institutions or Big Propaganda Academies.
Should we engage in trade with a regime that expands its military might, threatening the stability of the Asia-Pacific region? The CCP is attempting to control ports in Africa and Latin America to further its commercial and military objectives. The CCP has installed spy software on port machinery in many shipping ports.
Should we trade with a regime that seeks global dominance through “unrestricted warfare” utilizing networks, disinformation, economics, military, and politics? The CCP tries to penetrate our military bases, purchase land near them, while prohibiting similar actions by the U.S. How can we engage in honest trade with such a regime?
The CCP’s propaganda machinery spreads lies about the West on social media platforms, while praising a greedy and unscrupulous regime in Beijing. How can we trust them?
In early 2020, the CCP unleashed the COVID-19 virus globally while enforcing strict measures domestically. How can we trust such a government? Furthermore, the CCP has audaciously shifted blame for the origins of the pandemic onto other countries. The CCP also attempts to interfere in foreign elections, especially during crises, using bribes to entice foreign leaders and capturing elites. How can we negotiate with them? They also export deadly fentanyl precursors to Mexico for manufacturing and distribution.
Fair trade with the CCP regime is almost impossible as it disregards the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), breaches the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, and fails to ensure the security of undersea communication cables. China continues to prioritize exports, oversaturating the market while neglecting its domestic needs. By circumventing tariff agreements, restricting imports, manipulating currency, and violating treaties, the CCP generates trade deficits for other countries.
The CCP’s unethical behaviors are too numerous to list but clearly reveal its true intentions. While claiming to abide by fair trade practices and global norms in its relations with other nations, its actions speak otherwise. Free countries should be vigilant, take measures, and decouple from any trade deals with the CCP that may compromise national security.
Decoupling should encompass dual-use technologies, pharmaceuticals, rare earth metals, and other products. Failing to take firm measures in this regard would be akin to inviting self-destruction. However, considering the labor markets of the U.S. and China, engaging in commodity trade that does not jeopardize national security is acceptable. In the context of the global supply chain and trade environment, shouldn’t upholding moral values be of utmost importance?
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