I think you misunderstand my intent. My advice is not for governments or individuals, but rather corporations who are invested in their own survival. I don't think it's wise to disagree that a missed market opportunity can spell the end for a corporation. And in the wording I chose I am careful to limit my advice to "a business that must operate in China to stay competitive." I do not think you were careful enough to notice this, but hey I can see that your kneejerk reaction accidentally echoed my own opinion on what my country (the US) should be doing about China.
I mean, in the same breath of my aforementioned advice I could have added that "by the way, don't over-invest in China because the inevitable embargo of Chinese trade in the West might destroy your company."
But it's not dangerous to recommend that a business operate as a business. What is dangerous is to not have our governments intervene and to hogtie our politicians from making difficult choices when it comes to trade principles. For example, the US should have long ago forced China to recognize its patent laws. Additionally, China's human rights violations should be tried in international court regardless of its power and size (interestingly enough, so should the US's human rights violations.) I think it's all too obvious that the time has come for China to back down on its authoritarianism.
And that's what I vote for and that's what I support. But I don't think it's unreasonable to recommend a corporation act like a corporation. You seem smart enough to know this.
I mean, in the same breath of my aforementioned advice I could have added that "by the way, don't over-invest in China because the inevitable embargo of Chinese trade in the West might destroy your company."
But it's not dangerous to recommend that a business operate as a business. What is dangerous is to not have our governments intervene and to hogtie our politicians from making difficult choices when it comes to trade principles. For example, the US should have long ago forced China to recognize its patent laws. Additionally, China's human rights violations should be tried in international court regardless of its power and size (interestingly enough, so should the US's human rights violations.) I think it's all too obvious that the time has come for China to back down on its authoritarianism.
And that's what I vote for and that's what I support. But I don't think it's unreasonable to recommend a corporation act like a corporation. You seem smart enough to know this.