Publications: Rodrigo Balbontin

Countries in the Global South are key markets for Chinese and U.S.-allied national power industries, which require scale economies to flourish. U.S. policymakers should stop viewing them as a “backyard” and recognize that they are a key battlefield in an industrial war.

Boosting U.S. competitiveness in national power industries is necessary, but not sufficient to avoid losing to China. America also must take measures to slow the PRC’s progress toward global dominance. This report provides more than 100 actionable recommendations for the administration and Congress. Western allies should take many of the same steps.

MC14 exposed the WTO’s deepening dysfunction on digital trade and reform, underscoring why the United States needs a more strategic approach to global trade.

CFIUS’ procedures need to be strengthened to ensure that Chinese entities, particularly those influenced or backed by Chinese government influence or funding, cannot acquire U.S. companies or technology that could harm America’s economic or national security.

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation’s Centre for Canadian Innovation and Competitiveness (CCIC) appreciates the opportunity to contribute to Global Affairs Canada’s consultation on a potential Canada-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement.

U.S. semiconductor export controls swing unpredictably between administrations, undermining innovation and security. The solution is a clear, bipartisan strategy that narrowly restricts the most sensitive technologies while allowing U.S. chipmakers to compete globally.

Despite evidence to the contrary, a persistent narrative during the past two administrations has been that corporate power is getting increasingly concentrated, ergo antitrust breakups are warranted. But the latest Census Bureau data once again puts the lie to that argument.

China has failed to meet its commitments under the U.S.-China POA. It is not a reliable trade partner, as potential commitments to reverse its predatory practices are antithetical to its long-term techno-economic project.

The joint U.S.–South Korea fact sheet makes clear that Seoul must move away from DMA-style platform regulations and uphold its pledge to ensure fair, non-discriminatory treatment of U.S. digital firms.

The USMCA strengthens America’s position to compete with China. First, by enabling U.S. manufacturers to source inputs from Canada and Mexico at lower cost. Second, by weakening China’s manufacturing capacity as it incentivizes firms to reshore production to North America and substitute Chinese imports with inputs or final products made within the region.