With the clock ticking down on the Biden administration, a last-minute probe into China’s “legacy” chip trade practices was announced—an effort that may be too little, too late, yet reveals a glaring truth. The probe focuses on the chips that power virtually everything from your kitchen appliances to critical military systems, underscoring just how deeply the tentacles of the Chinese regime have entwined with our daily lives and national security.
According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), there’s substantial evidence suggesting that China’s aggressive strategy in the semiconductor sector threatens to undermine American competitiveness, disrupt critical U.S. supply chains, and compromise our economic security. This is not mere market competition; this is economic warfare, and China is playing to win.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce, ever so defiant, accuses the U.S. of distorting global production and supply chains, claiming these moves harm American companies and consumers. But what they call harm, I call safeguarding our national interests. China’s crocodile tears won’t distract from their clear agenda: to weaken and eventually replace the United States as the global hegemon.
As this probe transitions to Trump‘s administration, the real work begins. It’s time to double down on policies that protect our industries from China’s predatory practices, which include state-backed hacking, forced technology transfers, and discriminatory regulatory maneuvers. This isn’t just about chips; it’s about maintaining sovereignty over our economic future and security.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s revelations that two-thirds of U.S. products using chips contain Chinese components—with many companies unaware of their origin—are nothing short of alarming. Post-pandemic, our drive to re-shore semiconductor manufacturing has never been more critical. With China planning to construct over 60 percent of the world’s new legacy chip capacity, the threat isn’t just on the horizon—it’s at our doorstep.
We need a robust strategy, not reactive policy patches. Under Trump’s leadership, we must expand aggressive tariffs and secure our supply chains. It’s high time America stops playing defense against China’s economic onslaught and takes the offensive to secure a free and competitive global market. This isn’t just about trade; it’s about preserving our way of life against a rival that plays by a very different set of rules.
