I had a stimulating 10-minute interview with Bloomberg Radio yesterday. Listen here. It’s in podcast form. I argued that our debate about China has been polarized, as many other issues have been (and perhaps the majority of issues.) On the one hand, we have the Steve Bannons and Peter Navarros arguing that China is “the enemy” and that we must confront it with all tools at our disposal. Some in this camp even advocate “decoupling” the two economies, which is impossible in reality. It would take at least 10 years to unwind the the pattern of business and economic relationships that exist, and it would be hugely disruptive.
At the other end of the spectrum, we have voices warning that we shouldn’t be creating a new “Red Scare” or a new “Cold War.”
I said the truth lies in the middle. We need to create a set of policies in which we absolutely confront China on issues where they are undermining our computer systems and control of our Information Technology, not to mention the recruitment of spies in our companies and governmental institutions. But on other issues such as global geopolitical security and stability, we have broad overlap of interests. It’s difficult for Americans who think in absolutes–yes or no, black or white, friend or foe–to grasp the subtleties of what the Chinese government under President Xi Jiping is doing. After all, the Chinese have been practicing The Art of War for 2,500 years.
