Texas Border Business
Yeah, that’s a big conversation. When it comes to U.S.-China relations, especially before, during, and after President Trump’s administration, there’s been a lot of tension—and a long list of concerns raised by the U.S. Here’s a rundown of some of the key issues the U.S. (and many in the West) have accused China of doing over the years, particularly in ways that hurt American interests:
1. Intellectual Property Theft
- One of the most serious and longstanding issues.
- U.S. companies and government agencies have accused China of systematically stealing trade secrets, patented technology, and software.
- According to a 2017 report by the U.S. IP Commission, IP theft by China costs the U.S. between $225 billion and $600 billion annually.
2. Cyber Espionage
- Numerous hacking incidents have been traced back to Chinese state-sponsored actors.
- High-profile breaches include:
- The 2015 Office of Personnel Manage (OPM) breach, where personal data of over 20 million U.S. federal employees was stolen.
- Attacks on companies like Equifax, Anthem, and various defense contractors.
3. Forced Technology Transfers
- U.S. firms wanting to do business in China have often been forced to share their technology with local partners as a condition of market entry.
- This undermines the competitive advantage of American innovation and benefits Chinese firms unfairly.
4. Unfair Trade Practices
- Heavy state subsidies to Chinese companies, dumping goods at below-market prices, and manipulating currency are frequent complaints.
- Trump’s administration responded with sweeping tariffs during the U.S.-China trade war.
5. Human Rights Violations (Impacting U.S. Policy and Trade)
- The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Chinese officials and companies tied to human rights abuses in Xinjiang(Uyghur Muslims) and Hong Kong.
- American companies have faced pressure for doing business with Chinese firms linked to surveillance and repression.
6. Military Aggression and Espionage
- There are concerns over China’s growing military presence in the South China Sea and espionage targeting U.S. military and academic institutions.
- Allegations of spies infiltrating American universities and even politicians’ circles (e.g., the case involving Rep. Eric Swalwell and a suspected Chinese spy).
7. Supply Chain Manipulation
- Over-reliance on China for critical goods (like pharmaceuticals, rare earth elements, and electronics) became a national security concern during COVID-19.
- The push to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. is partially a response to this.
8. Influence Operations
- Through Confucius Institutes, media control, and lobbying, China has tried to influence U.S. public opinion, academia, and politics.
- The Department of Justice launched the China Initiative to investigate Chinese influence and espionage in the U.S., although it was later criticized for its implementation.
9. COVID-19 Transparency Issues
- Many in the U.S., including Trump, criticized China’s lack of transparency during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Accusations included hiding the severity, silencing whistleblowers, and delaying global response efforts.
So, when China demands “more respect,” many Americans (and others around the world) counter with, “Well, respect is earned.” Many argue it starts with stopping practices that harm other nations.
Addition information:
OPM stands for the Office of Personnel Management. It’s a U.S. government agency that manages the civilian federal workforce. Basically, it’s like the federal government’s HR department.
What does OPM do?
- Manages federal employee records
- Oversees hiring and benefits for federal workers
- Handles background checks and security clearances
Why it matters (especially in the context of China):
In 2015, OPM was the victim of a massive cyberattack—believed to be carried out by hackers linked to China. The breach exposed sensitive personal data of over 20 million people, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Fingerprints
- Background check information
- Details on friends, family, and foreign contacts
That kind of data can be gold for foreign intelligence—used to track, recruit, or blackmail U.S. government employees.
So, when people bring up OPM in the context of China and cybersecurity, it’s shorthand for one of the most damaging hacks in U.S. history.
Additional Information:
OPM stands for the Office of Personnel Management. It’s a U.S. government agency that manages the civilian federal workforce. It’s like the federal government’s HR department.
What does OPM do?
- Manages federal employee records
- Oversees hiring and benefits for federal workers
- Handles background checks and security clearances
Why it matters (especially in the context of China):
In 2015, OPM was the victim of a massive cyberattack—believed to be carried out by hackers linked to China. The breach exposed sensitive personal data of over 20 million people, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Fingerprints
- Background check information
- Details on friends, family, and foreign contacts
That kind of data can be gold for foreign intelligence—used to track, recruit, or blackmail U.S. government employees.
So when people bring up OPM in the context of China and cybersecurity, it’s shorthand for one of the most damaging hacks in U.S. history.
