Times of India: Behind the Trade War

Intellectual property theft is the heart of the trade war between the United States and China. “While ramping up tariffs on products gets headlines, the US has quietly stepped up its counter-intelligence and law-enforcement machinery to foil Beijing’s multi-directional espionage efforts aimed at challenging US hegemony,” explains Nayan Chanda, founding editor of YaleGlobal Online, in his column for the Times of India. The essay lists recent incidents of Chinese officials, students and workers charged for stealing sensitive technologies. China, with its Made in China 2025 initiative, makes no secret of its ambition to dominate 10 high-tech sectors ranging from artificial intelligence to semiconductors. Analysts suggest that China may become keen to protect intellectual property as it develops its own research capability, though a Congressional commission points out that the country manufactures many electronics and appliances increasing connected to the internet, and thus has an opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities. Chanda concludes that both nations could double down on competition: “The intensity of mutual distrust, combined with Washington’s demands that China fundamentally change its industrial policy and its overall espionage effort, forebodes a long struggle.” – YaleGlobal