The Forum > Article Comments > China, the fragile 21st century mercantilist state > Comments
China, the fragile 21st century mercantilist state : Comments
By Arthur Thomas, published 3/2/2010China generates trade surpluses and foreign exchange reserves at the expense of trading partners’ exports, trade imbalances and employment opportunities.
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Putting that aside, the faults of China that you describe are different in degree, but not in kind, from those of the other states - not "communities" - that are taking issue with China. "Currency manipulation"? The great grandaddy of them all is the US Federal Reserve. "Investment constraints" - tried to start a business or farm in Australia or the US lately? "Human rights abuse" - like the U.S.'s and allies' aggressive war, invasions, torture, disappearances? If downstream nations were to use water to make goods, at the expense of upstream Chinese users, why would that be any more just? Or perhaps we should just refrain from the use of water - bad for the environment I suppose?
Yes, the protectionist aspects of mercantilism are objectionable; but I think your argument would be better aimed against protectionism and violations of liberty in general, by all states everywhere, rather than at Chinese mercantilism per se.