While there is broad support in the corporate community for a tougher U.S. stance toward China, Trump’s critics say he erred by first tackling other trade issues. Earlier this month, citing a rarely used national security provision in U.S. trade law, the president imposed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. As Beijing covets global leadership in advanced technology, its industrial policies have grown into a threat to American economic and military pre-eminence. China has long prioritized acquiring foreign technology, including through cybertheft and economic espionage. With friction multiplying, diplomats should conduct a case-by-case assessment to identify the technology links that raise irreconcilable national security issues.

Source: Washington Post March 20, 2018 15:57 UTC