Trump’s responses to the challenges presented by climate change and the Chinese were to completely deny the former and to use bluster and tariffs on the latter. Neither approach, of course, had any success at all. The GOP will have to come up with something better, even though it will require unwelcome government intervention in the economy. What should they do to avoid spoiling their brand?
In the case of climate change, the clear winner is a carbon tax. Sure, the GOP hates taxes, but this one could be offset by reductions in the income tax. The carbon tax would be the most minimal intervention in the economy possible. It does not require subsidies and regulations. Just establish the price and let the market do its magic!
In the case of China, the broad choices are to beat them or join them. Joining them means adopting Chinese interventionist economic approaches, including tariffs, regulations, and subsidies. Beating them means relying on your existing strengths, which include luring talented people to your country from overseas. Change the immigration system to make the US more attractive to tech investors and inventors. That’s less intrusive than regulations and subsidies.