Rubio's Pragmatic Thinking on China

An important new report from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) provides a comprehensive analysis of China’s innovation mercantilist strategy and its implications. As Rob Atkinson writes for The Hill, the report should serve as a broader rallying cry. The report, “Made in China 2025 and the Future of American Industry,” makes three key points. First, the Washington establishment turned a blind eye to the China challenge for far too long, so now it’s time for decisive action. Second, the choice should not be between rolling back China’s notorious practice of innovation mercantilism or spurring more innovation and productivity at home. America must do both if its economy is to thrive.

New times require new thinking, and that is what Sen. Rubio and an increasing number of Republican members of Congress are providing. Rather than attempt to squelch it with ideologically constrained thinking, scholars, pundits, and advocates should embrace it and engage in pragmatic policy discussions to make these proposals even better.