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Issues · trade-with-china · Foreign policy

Trade with China

How the U.S. should structure trade and investment with China — tariffs, export controls on advanced technology, investment screening, and the future of permanent normal trade relations.

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U.S.-China trade has been reshaped over the past decade. Section 301 tariffs imposed in 2018-19 and largely retained under the Biden administration cover roughly $370B in Chinese imports. Recent additions include 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs, 50% on solar cells, 25% on semiconductors.

Beyond tariffs, key levers include:

  • Export controls: Advanced semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, AI chips.
  • Outbound investment screening: New restrictions on U.S. investment in Chinese AI, quantum, and chip ventures.
  • Inbound CFIUS reviews: Expanded scrutiny of Chinese investment.
  • PNTR: Some legislators propose revoking China's permanent normal trade relations status.
  • Section 232 / 301: Use for steel, aluminum, EVs, batteries.

Spectrum of framings

How adherents on each side of the conventional left / center / right spectrum frame this issue — written so each camp would recognize the framing as charitable.

left

Progressive views shifted: many now support tariffs and decoupling for labor and security reasons.

center

Most centrists support targeted decoupling on advanced tech while maintaining broader economic engagement.

right

Most conservatives favor aggressive tariffs and economic decoupling.

Perspectives

Each perspective is presented in terms its advocates would recognize, with the concerns they treat as paramount. None is endorsed.

  • Decoupling advocates

    Trade with China subsidizes a strategic adversary, hollows out U.S. manufacturing, and creates vulnerable supply chains. Tariffs, export controls, and investment screening are all needed.

    • Supply-chain resilience
    • Manufacturing-base preservation
    • Tech-leakage to PRC

  • Targeted-restriction advocates

    Restrict in critical-tech and security-relevant sectors only. Broad tariffs raise consumer costs, invite retaliation, and harm allies more than China itself.

    • Targeted critical-sector restrictions
    • Avoiding consumer-price effects
    • Coordinating with allies

  • Engagement / open-trade advocates

    Broad tariffs are taxes on Americans that haven't reduced bilateral deficits. Open trade — combined with targeted restrictions on dual-use tech — is more effective and less costly.

    • Consumer prices
    • Avoiding trade-war escalation
    • Cost-effectiveness of tariffs

Voices on this issue12

Commonly-cited public figures who have taken a position on this issue. Grouped by their conventional left/center/right lean. Tap a voice to see their full position record.

left5

right7

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