Washington’s trade and economic policy establishment has largely turned a blind eye toward Chinese innovation mercantilist practices, perversely arguing either that China’s outlaw behavior helped the U.S. economy by keeping prices low or that the effects were inconsequential. However, as Rob Atkinson writes for the Washington Post, the Washington establishment needs to publicly acknowledge that the threat is serious and that China needs to be confronted — not only to protect the U.S. economy and national security but also to save the very soul of the global trading system. Denying that China’s actions pose a grave threat and placing the blame on ourselves will only fan the flames of protectionism and cause even greater harm.
