Should we emulate the Chinese in order to beat them on tech issues? Let’s ask the factions:
- CLs: Interfering with the free market is always counterproductive. The Chinese can’t possibly beat us with subsidies and regulations; in fact, their system is bound to implode any day now. Just cut taxes and regulations and the innovations you want will follow as the night the day.
- PBPs: We have big issues with Trump’s tariffs, because they create an unstable investment climate and cost us money, but subsidizing critical industries would work for us just fine.
- CDs: This isn’t really our thing, man. Whatever works is fine with us.
- Reactionaries: The Chinese have been ripping us off and stealing our jobs for years. Their political system scares the crap out of us, too. Do whatever it takes to keep America great!
My conclusion: The CLs don’t carry much weight in the GOP, let alone the electorate as a whole. It’s going to happen, particularly since the Democrats aren’t going to object. It’s just a matter of time.