The last decade has made it clear that China did not move toward open trade, freer markets, or political liberalization as so many expected. Instead, under President Xi Jinping, China doubled down on authoritarian politics and mercantilist economic and trade policies. This would be problematic enough on its own, but China appears to be also seeking global economic and political hegemony—so it can be challenged by no one.
But as Rob Atkinson writes in The Korea Times, the challenge from China is not simply to Korea's advanced technology sectors, such as semiconductors, autos and batteries, but to Korea's autonomy, with China potentially calling the shots, not only in Southeast Asia but across the globe.
While the United States has taken since World War II to protect the global economy and global freedom, it can no longer do this on its own. China is just too big and now too advanced technologically.
It is time for much closer technology cooperation between the United States and our allied partners, particularly Korea. While Korean and U.S. firms will continue to compete—fairly and by the rules, unlike Chinese firms—Korea and America also need to focus on "coopetition": both competing and cooperating.
