20 avril 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

Stop China’s predatory investments before the US becomes its next victim

By: Jeffery A. Green

An ancient Chinese stratagem instructs military leaders: “Chen huo da jie,” or “loot a house when it's on fire.” The tactic is simple and self-explanatory — strike when your enemy is most vulnerable. As America's people and industries reel from the impact of a global pandemic, the United States must take immediate action to protect our economic interests from being looted by a uniquely opportunistic adversary.

Many U.S. companies have been substantially weakened in both market cap and revenue by the COVID-19 pandemic. With countless companies struggling to survive this crisis, the U.S. should institute a temporary but immediate and total ban on the sale of any U.S. company deemed “critical infrastructure,” whose value has been materially impacted by the pandemic, to a Chinese-owned or controlled entity.

Until the president certifies that the economy has fully recovered from the effects of COVID-19, this ban should remain in effect. This crisis necessitates action far beyond the existing review process of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

China's aggressive weaponization of its economy is no secret. Whether through currency manipulation or the withholding of critical materials, such as rare earth minerals, from the global supply chain, China has a reputation for using its economy in a targeted manner to further its ambitious global plans. Be it overtly or obliquely, through direct ownership or by de facto monopoly, China has encroached on or outright assaulted nearly every meaningful sector of the U.S. economy.

There is ample evidence of China's exploitation and deception related to COVID-19. Credible reports are emerging that Beijing has taken donations of personal protective equipment and sold them to Italy and possibly other foreign countries. Further, the dubiously low official infection and death figures released by China are being juxtaposed with higher U.S. infection and death rates to enhance the narrative that China is the more competent nation and should therefore be regarded as the preeminent global leader.

But China's infiltration and manipulation of the American economy and psyche began well before the COVID-19 crisis. From a national security perspective, Chinese companies have taken ownership of U.S. companies critical to the strategic supply chain, such as cutting-edge battery technologies and microelectronics. The U.S. is entirely dependent on China for segments of the supply of rare earth minerals, which are necessary for everything from cellphones to critical weapon systems. In 2013, a Chinese company purchased Smithfield Foods, simultaneously making the company the owner of both the largest pork producer globally and more than $500 million of American farmland.

Beyond industries like defense and agriculture that form America's economic and national security backbone, China has opened new fronts to project soft power as well. The Chinese conglomerate Tencent began a 2015 push, as Tencent Pictures, into Hollywood with significant investments in major U.S. films, including quintessentially American films, such as “Wonder Woman” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” The Cold War era was rife with films juxtaposing an American hero and a Soviet enemy. With Chinese investment in the U.S. film industry and the growing importance of the Chinese market for these films, it's no coincidence there is a dearth of communist Chinese government villains in today's entertainment market.

In 2004, China launched the Confucius Institute program, with the stated goal of promoting Chinese culture and language overseas. With mounting concerns about the spread of Chinese Communist Party propaganda through these institutes, as well as fears of possible espionage originating from them, universities across the world began canceling their affiliations. To date, more than two dozen U.S. universities have cut ties with these programs.

While America seeks to recover from the economic impacts of this pandemic, Congress and the administration must take swift action to ensure China is not afforded any opportunity to enhance its economic foothold in the U.S.

As distressed companies desperately look for funding and investment, the U.S. needs to send a message that financial exploitation by China will not be tolerated, especially if it involves companies working in industries critical to national security and our broader industrial base.

As part of this infiltration of our business community, defense enterprise and culture, China will likely hire an army of lobbyists and lawyers to oppose this proposal. This, too, should be prohibited for the length of the economic crisis in the U.S.

For millennia, Chinese dynasties have employed the tactic of looting a burning house as they vanquished enemies all around them. America must act before we become China's latest victim.

https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2020/04/17/stop-chinas-predatory-investments-before-the-us-becomes-its-next-victim/

Sur le même sujet

  • Demand for New and Refurbished Aircraft and Need for Lightweighting Materials Fuel Aerospace Adhesives and Coatings Sector Growth

    29 octobre 2018 | International, Aérospatial

    Demand for New and Refurbished Aircraft and Need for Lightweighting Materials Fuel Aerospace Adhesives and Coatings Sector Growth

    LONDON, Oct. 29, 2018 /CNW/ -- Current and evolving growth prospects in the global aerospace adhesives and coatings market look promising over the next six years. Frost & Sullivan's analysis forecasts the market to reach $1.90 billion by the end of 2024, driven by an increasing need for lighter materials, investment in technically advanced products, evolving regulations, and high-volume demand for new and refurbished aircraft. "While manufacturers are increasingly investing in product development to enhance environmental sustainability and product efficiency, customers are seeking out products that are easy to apply, highly durable, quick drying, lighter in weight, environmentally sustainable, and regulatory compliant," said Christeena Thomas, Senior Research Analyst,Chemicals and Materials, EIA at Frost & Sullivan. For further information on this analysis, please visit http://frost.ly/2vs Merger and acquisition activities are expected to continue, with global companies acquiring small manufacturers to access their products, technical competences, distribution channels, and customer bases. To gain a competitive advantage, Thomas recommends manufacturers invest in developing adhesive formulations that are superior in properties such as durability and UV resistance and compatible with multiple substrates while exhibiting reduced overall weight after application. Key trends creating growth opportunities in the market include: A boost in unmanned aerial vehicle demand in commercial, defence, and general aviation segments due to decreased technology costs High demand for adhesives and coatings in the defence and aerospace segments in the Asia-Pacific and Rest of World countries with increased investments in domestic manufacturing and operations Customer demands for newer, high-performance adhesives and coatings Growth in defense spending in the aerospace sector due to changing global economic conditions Growing demand for adhesive and coatings formulations that are compatible with robotic applications Replacement of traditionally used heavy fasteners with lighter-weight adhesives "Programs such as Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) in the European Union, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are expected to increase the research and development and transaction costs that businesses incur when developing and distributing new types of chemical compounds," noted Thomas. "In addition, extensive testing, verification, and approval cycles delay product launches, resulting in significant time and costs for material suppliers." Growth Opportunities in the Global Aerospace Adhesives and Coatings Market, Forecast to 2024 market intelligence identifies disruptive market and technology trends, drivers and restraints, market share and competitive analysis. Percent unit shipment forecast by technology, application, chemistry, and end-industry for Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World are also provided. Growth Opportunities in the Global Aerospace Adhesives and Coatings Market, Forecast to 2024 is the latest addition to Frost & Sullivan's Visionary Science research and analysis available through the Frost & Sullivan Leadership Council, which helps organisations identify a continuous flow of growth opportunities to succeed in an unpredictable future. About Frost & Sullivan For over five decades, Frost & Sullivan has become world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/demand-for-new-and-refurbished-aircraft-and-need-for-lightweighting-materials-fuel-aerospace-adhesives-and-coatings-sector-growth-698876461.html

  • Barkhane : Premier engagement majeur pour le blindé Griffon associé au système d'information SCORPION

    6 décembre 2021 | International, Terrestre

    Barkhane : Premier engagement majeur pour le blindé Griffon associé au système d'information SCORPION

    Durant l'été dernier, 32 Véhicules blindés multi-rôles [VBMR] Griffon ont été acheminés à Gao [Mali] en vue de la "projection" de trois compagnies [dont deux de combat] du 3e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine [RIMa], appelées à former l'ossature du Groupement tactique désert [

  • Seeking to reposition, LMI plans to sells for-profit subsidiary

    15 juillet 2022 | International, Autre défense

    Seeking to reposition, LMI plans to sells for-profit subsidiary

    LMI has sold its for-profit subsidiary in a bid to accelerate its growth.

Toutes les nouvelles