We all pay the price for protectionism

Agreed. Most European countries held up as examples of socialist success are really more of a branding success ("compassionate capitalism") than true implementation of socialist ideals. There is also the added benefit those countries enjoy by operating under the military protection of the one country (USA) that is more capitalistic than socialistic and capable of generating such wealth and productivity to provide that security. It would sure be nice to free up a significant % of USA's expenditures for "social" programs if some other country would take the lead in thwarting the far left revolutionaries and anarchists. But, why would they? They get the milk for free and even blame the cow for the world's problems knowing full well that the cow will simply keeping producing the milk.

 

You can't have good free trade relations with China without surrendering the western Pacific Ocean (and the freedom of all of the countries therein). Is that what you want?

 

Five pound blocks of cheese.
Bags of groceries.
Social security has run out on you and me.

 

Your feelings and mine don't count. It's Chairman Xi's feelings that count. And he feels entitled to every square millimeter of the Nine Dashes Line as well as the nation of Taiwan. When we buy from China, we support China's military, and we enable it to get closer to Xi's dream of owning the southwest Pacific. They already own fishing rights all the way up to the coast of south America, and around the other side to the shores of Argentina. Maybe you support the U.S. feeding South America when their supply of fish runs out, plus the Philippines and other countries. Maybe you're one of those gullible people who will try singing Kum-bay-a to get Xi to reconsider his policies and be nice to the rest of the planet.

Bill Clinton thought the same way as you, except his mantra was "more trade, more democracy". Didn't happen. China spent all of its profits on:

a) the military
b) the police state
c) internet propaganda and thought control
d) political repression

None of which brought China any closer to democracy. Once you choose the path of dictatorship and control over your people, there is no backsliding on that path without some devastating tragedy (like Russia's economic collapse in 1990). And even then, when economic fortunes are reversed, the country reverts to dictatorship, even as it pretends to hold "free" elections while jailing the main political opponent and allowing the dictator to choose who will run against him.

The number one job for a leader in a communist country is to keep your hands on the levers of power. The number two job is to deliver maximum prosperity, at any and all costs. This usually involves invading neighbors, bullying neighbors to take what is theirs, etc. The true national heroes of China and Russia are leaders who fought other countries and conquered them, either in defense or in naked aggression. Neither country has evolved past that mentality.

"More trade, less conflict" only works with democratic countries and powerless monarchies that are no threat to their neighbors. Countries that take "rule of law" seriously. Countries that respect intellectual property rights. China is none of those things. China believes in lying, cheating and stealing. They also believe in intimidation and blackmail.