Summary
Highlights
In April 2017, President Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago. Despite a seemingly positive initial encounter and the establishment of a personal friendship between the two leaders, underlying long-standing issues quickly resurfaced. Within a year, Trump would impose billions of dollars in tariffs on Chinese goods, leading to a significant confrontation.
Laura Sullivan travels to southwestern Ohio to investigate the on-the-ground impact of Trump's tariffs on imported Chinese goods, especially steel. While some steelworkers welcomed the tariffs, hoping to revitalize their industry, other businesses like Industrial Tube and Steel and Shepherd Chemical faced skyrocketing costs and reduced profits due to the tariffs and China's retaliation.
The documentary highlights that Donald Trump's views on trade and his criticism of other countries, initially Japan and then China, have been consistent since the late 1980s. His message, focusing on bringing back American jobs and blaming other nations for economic disadvantage, resonated with voters, leading to his presidency. His administration saw deep internal divisions between 'globalists' and 'nationalists' regarding China policy.
Sullivan travels to China, observing a large import expo in Shanghai where many companies, including U.S. ones, seemed unfazed by the trade war, prioritizing the massive Chinese market. Chinese officials, while downplaying the trade war, emphasized China's right to become a prosperous and powerful nation, with an economy that could potentially surpass that of the U.S. This perspective underscored the fundamental difference in strategic outlook between the two nations.
The film explores 'The China Model,' a state-sponsored economic strategy blending national control with private enterprise, which has transformed China's economy. After the 2008 financial crisis, China's confidence grew, and under Xi Jinping, the ambitious 'Made in China 2025' plan was launched, prioritizing dominating key global industries, further fueling American concerns about China's economic ascent and potential technological leadership.
The documentary reveals that American businesses, fearing loss of profitability in China, often deterred the U.S. government from taking strong action against unfair Chinese trade practices, such as forced tech transfer. Additionally, cyberattacks, like the one on Google in 2010, revealed widespread Chinese cyber espionages targeting U.S. private sector companies, which were often met with inaction due to business lobbying.
By late 2018, the trade dispute evolved into a broader 'techonomic war,' focusing on dominance in 21st-century technology. The Trump administration increased efforts to restrict China's access to American technology. Silicon Valley investors highlighted China's aggressive investment in critical sectors like AI and semiconductors, indicating China's determination for technological self-sufficiency. Concerns grew about the potential for a complete decoupling of the U.S. and Chinese economies.
The documentary concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of the U.S.-China rivalry. Many interviewees suggest that the focus should be on strengthening America's own industries and technological capabilities rather than solely blaming China. The escalating conflict raises the specter of a 'new cold war,' a comprehensive confrontation unlike previous ones, with potentially long-lasting and dangerous consequences for global relations.