China exports to the entire globe. They don't have a navy strong enough to protect those freighters leaving their ports. If the US continues it's path of withdrawing from patrolling the oceans, do you think China can ensure their vessels don't get seized by pirates or hostile nations? Look at what's going on with the Strait of Hormuz today. Remember, they're more dependent on that strait than we are. We're an oil exporter today. China NEEDS us. We NEED China. The same is really true of the whole world. They need the goodwill of the entire world to maintain their current lifestyle and admirable growth.

Also, the US exports a lot to China. We don't sell toys or consumer devices, but we sell industrial agricultural and industrial equipment. I'm told American beef and pork is highly regarded there. In fact, I read from many sources that's why our costs went up so much about 10 years ago...because the Chinese market was buying our beef and pork....although I've found the reporting inconsistent, FWIW.

However, bottom-line, invading Taiwan is VERY illogical. Pissing off anyone is illogical for the Chinese. They're making a killing being in the world's good graces.

AI *is* extremely dangerous. The currently extant AIs are already sufficient to radically change our economy in unpredictable ways. We've barely started to see the changes that would be coming even if development stopped NOW.

That, however, doesn't mean there's a good answer. Perhaps a more powerful AI could solve the economic problems. The problem is "Even if you trust the AI, how can you trust the person who's using it to find the answers he wants?". And the more powerful the AI, the worse that problem becomes.

Actually, protecting the local car industry IS necessary for national security. I'm just not convinced that this is a method that would work. I suspect it would make the current problems worse.

I think it would also mean no cars. IIUC every car on the market has foreign-made components, and probably Chinese made components.

Re: Slave labor.
Check out "prison industries" on google. I don't know which country has a larger percentage of it's population doing slave labor, but both are doing it.

Well, I think the claim is that China is abusing a larger fraction of it's population. I don't know whether this claim is true or false, but I think that's what the claim is.

That's not fair when (I think) every country that makes cars subsidizes it's cars. The question is "What should you do about it?". Considering that the US also subsidizes it's car makers, the answer is not obvious, though it should certainly involve graded tariffs...tariffs adjusted to the difference between the rates of subsidy. The problem is "How do you count all the various indirect subsidies?". Also "How do you track changes in the rate of subsidies?".

Sorry, but you misunderstand that quote. Henry Ford was making the cheapest standard car that was any good...so he didn't put in "optional extras", like different colors. His cars were famous for quality, durability, and repairability...and they deserved their fame. But they sure weren't luxury models. And that quote is a statement that he wasn't aiming at the luxury market.

I don't know about Britain, but in California black walnut trees grow wild, but English Walnut trees need care and planting. (Usually they're grafted onto black walnut stock, because the trunks are too weak.)

Basically, you want your military vehicles to be built by someone who won't cut you off in case of a war. It extends from there, but that's the basis.

It's not certain that they could produce the food. China has a history of famines, that I haven't looked into, and I think their population has grown since the 1940's. Also Ukraine's food export has severely dropped.

Actually, I think the cars would be fine if their source code were open and transparent. And validated not to contain unacceptable backdoors. (And I'd want the same rules for US cars.) Copyright is fine for this purpose.

We tend to look at Japanese vehicles are durable and reliable. The Hilux is legendary for being nigh on indestructible. There was a British TV show that put one on the roof of a tower block and demolished the tower, then threw it in the sea, and with some new spark plugs it was still working.

The problem is "Why should a Canadian, or European, or anyone (outside the US?) assume the US vehicles don't come with spyware and a kill switch?".

Yeah, it's fair to worry about China, but they're not special in this area.