When former President Donald Trump made trade with China a central part of his agenda, many saw it as a necessary course correction. His administration introduced tariffs, challenged unfair practices, and called out the growing imbalance between Chinese exports and American production. But when Trump also signed agreements aimed at improving trade, it raised new questions. Were these deals effective? Or did they simply slow down the problem without solving it?
At the heart of the issue is the same trade imbalance that economist Edouard Prisse explores in We Are Funding China’s Growth That Must Stop!. For years, the U.S. has imported much more from China than it sells in return. That means more dollars going to China, year after year, helping fund its expansion into infrastructure, digital systems, and military development.
Trump’s trade deal, signed in early 2020, focused on commitments from China to buy more American goods, especially in agriculture and manufacturing. While this was a step toward addressing the imbalance, results have been mixed. Some sectors saw benefits, but overall Chinese purchases fell short of targets. The structure of the deal relied on promises rather than enforcement.
More importantly, the deal did not change the basic rules of the trade relationship. It did not require equal trade, where the value of imports must match exports. It did not reduce reliance on Chinese production or build up local alternatives. And it did not stop China from using its trade surpluses to gain influence abroad.
Prisse’s point is that unless trade becomes equal in value, any agreement will only offer a temporary pause and not a solution. Deals that allow the imbalance to continue will not shift the long-term trend. The question now is what comes next. If Trump runs for office again or influences future policies, will the next deal go further? Or will it once again fall short of real balance?
There is room for progress, as a stronger deal would tie trade volume directly to measurable outcomes. It would reward fair practices and penalize violations. It would also support domestic industries and reduce incentives to outsource production.
But more than that, it would need to be supported by voters, businesses, and local leaders who understand the deeper costs of the current system. That is where books like Prisse’s play a role, as they help build a foundation of knowledge so the public can ask the right questions, such as Is the deal truly equal? Does it prevent future imbalance? Does it protect our long-term independence?
These are the questions we must ask of any trade agreement with China, and with any partner. Without clear answers, even the best-sounding deal may end up being a missed opportunity.
For a full understanding of what is at stake, read We Are Funding China’s Growth That Must Stop! and see how agreements can move us forward, or hold us back.
Here is a link to purchase: www.amazon.com/dp/1967963053.
We Were Funding China’s Growth That Must Stop! by Edouard Prisse is a sharp, well-researched examination of how decades of misguided free trade with China have fueled the rise of America’s greatest rival. Drawing on the economic insights of John Maynard Keynes, Prisse explains how the 2001 decision to welcome China into the global trade system created a one-sided relationship that drained Western industries while empowering Beijing’s authoritarian regime. The book not only exposes the dangers of this ongoing imbalance, such as job losses, weakened manufacturing, and growing geopolitical risks, but also offers a clear solution: shifting from “free trade” to “Equal Trade,” a value-balanced system that ensures reciprocity and protects democracy. Both a warning and a roadmap, this book is essential reading for policymakers, business leaders, economists, and citizens who care about safeguarding the future of free societies.
