I found this conversation between Ezra Klein and Tom Friedman really refreshing. Both men question the Beltway consensus on the need to contain China, arguing that neither party realizes how technologically sophisticated China has become.

Their alternative approach -- essentially engaging China the same way they engaged us, requiring their firms to form joint ventures in the U.S. with American companies and transfer technology here -- seems much more rooted in the idea of equals competing rather than taking the Thucydides trap as a given. It's also more humble about how far behind the U.S. is.

Friedman's explanation of the Chinese innovation system is one of the clearest on how solar panels and batteries get so cheap there. It's not *just* lots of state money. It's a ferocious competition that winnows down the best and most efficient manufacturers. They compare it to working out at the gym. U.S. expects its companies to be fit at the outset. China helps its train.

I found this conversation between Ezra Klein and Tom Friedman really refreshing. Both men question the Beltway consensus on the need to contain China, arguing that neither party realizes how technologically sophisticated China has become.

Their alternative approach -- essentially engaging China the same way they engaged us, requiring their firms to form joint ventures in the U.S. with American companies and transfer technology here -- seems much more rooted in the idea of equals competing rather than taking the Thucydides trap as a given. It's also more humble about how far behind the U.S. is.

Friedman's explanation of the Chinese innovation system is one of the clearest on how solar panels and batteries get so cheap there. It's not *just* lots of state money. It's a ferocious competition that winnows down the best and most efficient manufacturers. They compare it to working out at the gym. U.S. expects its companies to be fit at the outset. China helps its train.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqBa0hBAQBA

One person who does understand how much more advanced China is over the US is Dwarkesh Patel

Reporter and writer. I cover energy, climate change and geopolitics. Contact me via my website www.alexanderckaufman.com and subscribe to kaufman.substack.com.

One person who does understand how much more advanced China is over the US is Dwarkesh Patel

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dwarkesh-podcast/id1516093381?i=1000697924162

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I will listen! I’ve been seeing some clips of him on his most recent trip but haven’t listened.