"It is impossible to tell in Mr. Hanson’s essay where his economics end and his national-security concerns begin... If Mr. Hanson really is worried that Beijing will one day pose a mighty military threat to the west, he should not write critically of Beijing’s mercantilism but in praise of it!" #QotD

"[Victor Davis] Hanson’s attempted defence of his use of the U.S. trade deficit with China fails. ...
    "It is impossible to tell in Mr. Hanson’s essay where his economics end and his national-security concerns begin. Many of the problems he points to are problems, not with trade as such, but simply with China’s economic growth. A richer China does indeed mean that the government in Beijing will have more resources to use militarily and diplomatically. And freer trade will make China richer, while – contrary to Mr. Hanson’s apparent belief – mercantilism will make China poorer. If Mr. Hanson really is worried that Beijing will one day pose a mighty military threat to the west, he should not write critically of Beijing’s mercantilism but in praise of it!"
       ~ Don Boudreaux, from his post 'My Reply to Victor Davis Hanson’s Response'
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