But how is it that the Chinese state can do this when no other can? It’s not just because China has a big population or land mass (though those things do help somewhat). The reason the Chinese state can accomplish such feats of scale is because they are able to exploit people, communities and ecosystems to a degree that would not be possible in many other places while maintaining at least minimal social stability.
If, as you suggest, the market for certain goods is such that the only way it’s economically feasible to produce them is by having the Chinese state do it, then those goods should probably not exist. I think the reality is probably not so stark though, and there are in fact plenty of industries which could be shifted more locally through the use of tariffs.
Completely agree.
