Death by China

1. China's Economic Rise is Built on Unfair Trade Practices

In consumer safety, unscrupulous Chinese merchants are flooding global markets with everything from bone-crushing, cancer-causing, flammable, and poisonous products to other kinds of lethal merchandise, foods, and drugs.

Illegitimate advantages. China's economic success isn't solely due to hard work and innovation, but also stems from a deliberate strategy of unfair trade practices. These practices undermine free markets and harm other nations' economies, particularly the United States.

Eight weapons of job destruction:

• Illegal export subsidies
• Currency manipulation
• Intellectual property theft
• Environmental degradation
• Lax labor standards
• Export restrictions
• Predatory pricing
• Protectionist trade barriers

Consequences of unfair trade: These practices have led to the decline of American manufacturing, the loss of millions of jobs, and a growing trade deficit. They also give Chinese companies an unfair advantage in global markets, making it difficult for businesses in other countries to compete.

2. China's "Quality Con" Endangers Consumers Worldwide

Only China can turn a leather sofa into acid, a baby crib into a death trap, and a cell phone battery into shrapnel.

Systemic product safety issues. China's manufacturing sector is plagued by a "Quality Con," a systemic problem of producing substandard and dangerous goods. This is due to a combination of factors, including lax regulations, corruption, and a lack of ethical standards.

Examples of dangerous products:

• Lead-laced toys
• Contaminated food and drugs
• Faulty electronics
• Corrosive drywall

Broken safety nets: The safeguards meant to protect consumers often fail, including Chinese regulators, American border inspectors, and American companies that import Chinese goods. This leaves consumers vulnerable to dangerous and potentially lethal products.

3. The PLA's Military Expansion Threatens Global Security

Through this means, as Lenin observed, “the capitalists will sell us the rope with which to hang them,” every Walmart dollar Americans spend on cheap Chinese imports helps finance China’s rapid arming.

Rapid military modernization. China is undergoing a rapid and comprehensive military expansion, fueled by its economic growth. This expansion includes advanced naval and air capabilities, as well as sophisticated weapons systems.

Offensive military build-up: China's military buildup is not solely for defensive purposes, but also includes capabilities for power projection and regional dominance. This raises concerns about China's intentions and its potential to use military force to achieve its goals.

Specific military advancements:

• Nuclear submarines
• Ballistic missiles
• Cyber warfare capabilities
• Anti-satellite weapons

This military expansion is causing unease among China's neighbors and raising concerns about the future of regional and global security.

4. China's Colonialism Locks Down Resources and Markets

To get Sudan’s oil, China used its veto power to block UN intervention in the Sudanese government’s genocide in Darfur, ignoring the ruthless Janjaweed militia’s use of Chinese weapons to forcibly rape thousands of women and murder 300,000 innocent Sudanese.

Neo-colonial strategy. China is engaging in a new form of colonialism, using economic leverage to gain control over resources and markets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This strategy involves offering loans and infrastructure development in exchange for access to natural resources.

Exploitation of resources: China's colonial practices often involve the exploitation of natural resources, the displacement of local populations, and the undermining of local industries. This leaves these countries dependent on China and vulnerable to economic exploitation.

Examples of colonial practices:

• Securing oil in Sudan
• Acquiring mineral rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Building infrastructure in exchange for resources in Angola

This neo-colonialism undermines the sovereignty of developing nations and perpetuates a cycle of dependence and exploitation.

5. Currency Manipulation Fuels China's Economic Dominance

American workers can compete with Chinese workers on a level playing field with a fair currency value. They just can’t compete with a manipulated one.

Undervalued currency. China manipulates its currency, the Renminbi (RMB), to keep it artificially low against the US dollar. This gives Chinese exporters an unfair advantage, making their products cheaper in foreign markets.

Impact on trade: Currency manipulation distorts trade flows, leading to a massive trade deficit for the United States and other countries. It also makes it more difficult for American manufacturers to compete with Chinese companies.

Consequences of currency manipulation:

• Loss of American jobs
• Reduced economic growth
• Increased dependence on Chinese imports

This currency manipulation is a key driver of China's economic dominance and a major source of friction in international trade relations.

6. American Corporate "Traitors" Enable China's Rise

Today, living in the comfort and safety of New York City, I can understand why Western nations may fail to clearly see the CCP as a dangerous enemy to both the Chinese people and the rest of the world.

Prioritizing profits over patriotism. Many American corporations have become complicit in China's rise by prioritizing profits over patriotism. These companies have outsourced manufacturing to China, transferred technology, and lobbied against policies that would protect American jobs.

Examples of corporate behavior:

• Closing American factories and opening new ones in China
• Transferring technology to Chinese partners
• Lobbying against trade reforms

Consequences of corporate actions: These actions have contributed to the decline of American manufacturing, the loss of American jobs, and the erosion of American competitiveness. They also strengthen China's economy and military, making it a more formidable competitor.

7. China's Cyber Espionage Steals Intellectual Property and Military Secrets

China’s spying activities in the United States are so rampant that they constitute the single greatest threat to America’s technological security.

Rampant cyber espionage. China engages in widespread cyber espionage, targeting American companies, government agencies, and research institutions. This espionage is aimed at stealing intellectual property, trade secrets, and military technology.

Methods of cyber espionage:

• Hacking into computer systems
• Recruiting spies
• Using front companies

Targets of cyber espionage:

• Defense contractors
• Technology companies
• Government agencies

This cyber espionage poses a significant threat to American innovation, economic competitiveness, and national security.

8. China's Environmental Destruction Has Global Consequences

Obviously, if China hopes to survive in the twenty-first century, then their production must meet these standards.

Severe environmental degradation. China's rapid economic growth has come at a high environmental cost. The country is plagued by severe air and water pollution, soil contamination, and deforestation.

Global impact of environmental problems:

• Air pollution that travels across the Pacific Ocean
• Contaminated food and products exported to other countries
• Increased demand for resources that leads to environmental destruction in other parts of the world

Examples of environmental problems:

• Smog-filled cities
• Polluted rivers and lakes
• Contaminated farmland

China's environmental problems have global consequences, affecting the health and well-being of people around the world.

9. The CCP's Oppression Crushes Freedom and Human Rights

We embrace these principles, as presented to the reader in this poignant book by authors Peter Navarro and Greg Autry, because these principles can never be wrong, and this is why world citizens have long and genuinely supported the Chinese people, who are not alone in facing oppression and anachronistic rule.

Systematic human rights abuses. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) maintains a repressive political system that severely restricts freedom of speech, assembly, and religion. The government also engages in widespread human rights abuses, including torture, arbitrary detention, and forced labor.

Targets of repression:

• Political dissidents
• Religious minorities
• Ethnic minorities
• Labor activists

Methods of repression:

• Censorship
• Surveillance
• Imprisonment
• Torture

The CCP's human rights record is a major source of concern for the international community.

10. The West's Pro-China Policies are Based on False Assumptions

I believe that, for readers of Chinese in the free world, such as Taiwan, Canada, and the United States, this book will be of great value in shifting international opinion regarding China.

Misguided assumptions about China. Many Western policymakers and business leaders have based their pro-China policies on false assumptions about the country's political and economic system. These assumptions include the belief that economic liberalization will lead to political freedom, and that China will eventually become a responsible stakeholder in the international system.

Examples of false assumptions:

• China will become more democratic as it becomes wealthier
• China will abide by international rules and norms
• China's economic growth benefits everyone

Consequences of false assumptions: These false assumptions have led to policies that have strengthened China's economy and military, while undermining American interests. It is crucial to re-evaluate these assumptions and adopt a more realistic approach to China.

11. Surviving and Thriving in the Age of the Red Dragon

The main goal of this book is not only to open the reader’s eyes to the unconscionable behavior of China but also to offer a survival guide and call to action at this critical juncture in American and global history.

Call to action. The book urges readers to take action to address the challenges posed by China's rise. This includes supporting policies that protect American jobs, promote fair trade, and defend human rights.

Strategies for surviving and thriving:

• Be aware of the risks of Chinese products
• Support American-made goods
• Advocate for policies that promote fair trade
• Hold China accountable for its human rights abuses

Hope for the future. Despite the challenges, the book expresses hope that the Chinese people will eventually find their moral courage and overthrow their corrupt rulers. It also emphasizes the importance of working with China to address global challenges, such as climate change and pandemics.

Last updated: April 4, 2025