We hear and see a lot in the news these days about China and how it poses a threat both economically and militarily to the United States. My impression is that a lot of us tend to ignore those stories. After all the United States has been the world’s top dog for over one-hundred years so why should things change. But remember that throughout human history various empires have had their day, then either became minor nations or disappeared. Nations like Babylonia, Carthage, Egypt, Greece, Rome and more recently Great Britain.

Here in Chautauqua County many of us will probably say, “How does what China does affect Chautauqua County? I really don’t understand.” Well, it does and here is how.

Remember those jobs that Chautauqua County doesn’t have? Well, a large number, although not all, have gone to China and companies owned by the Chinese military. Every time we buy something that says “Made in China” we are looking in some cases at jobs that might have come to Chautauqua County or were lost by Chautauqua County. When we buy Chinese, we are also helping China buy another tank or missile destroyer.

In the same way that Germany and Japan were the elephants in the room in the 1930s, China is today. In the past Americans, some of whom were raised on the books of Pearl S. Buck and the movies made from them, saw the Chinese as simple peasants who were impoverished but industrious who lives were disrupted by marauding war lords. Similarly, others have been impacted by A.J. Cronin’s novel “Keys to the Kingdom” and the movie based on it that starred Gregory Peck where the Chinese, once again were simple peasants harassed by war lords but accepting of the teachings of Christianity.

In the last years of the 20th century after China was recognized by the United States and began its entry into the world economy, many Americans felt that a new China was developing. As its economy eliminated communist central planning and began functioning in a more capitalistic manner many Americans felt that it was only a matter of time before China would cast off its Communist totalitarian regime and become a fully functioning democracy.

During the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests many of us held out hope that the Chinese were ready to overthrow communism but the massacre that occurred and crackdowns that followed ended the hopes of many.

Today China has announced its intention to replace the United States as the primary super power in the world with the world’s most powerful economy by 2030. In 2022 China is the leading supplier of every category of American imports. We import 24% of machinery and electrical imports from China, 8% 0f textiles, 7% of plastic and rubber, and 10% 0f our metal imports.

Many well-known American brands are made in China including makers of blenders, juicers, vacuum cleaners, laser printers, toys, garden tools, combination locks, filing cabinets, safes and even aluminum foil, artificial sweeteners for Diet Coke, and Timex watches. The list goes on with 70% of the shoes we wear made in China, and 72% of smart phones.

It is just as bad when it comes to medical supplies and medications. Ninety percent of our antibiotics are either made in China or made with ingredients sourced in China. China is also the primary source of generic drugs, supplies 70% of the analgesic acetaminophen, and is the primary source of all types of medical devices.

The U.S. economy and citizens are beholden to China. Imagine what would happen in the event of a war and China were to cut off our supplies of antibiotics, medical supplies and devices, and even shoes. We would be in a terrible position.

But it gets even worse. Every advanced weapon in the U.S. arsenal is dependent on “rare-earth elements 80% which are sourced in China. As an example, every “Virginia” class attack submarine needs 9200 pounds of rare-earth elements. In addition, militarily important permanent magnets, silicon wafers for semi-conductors and specialized alloys are made almost exclusively in China.

China is able to compete with us because their industries are largely owned by the armed forces and they pay lower wages, have lower compliance standards for child labor, involuntary labor. and health and safety standards.

What is the U.S. doing to lower our dependence on China? One positive lesson of the COVID-19 pandemic was that it highlighted how our dependence on China was making us vulnerable to Chinese efforts to subvert our economy. In addition, China’s influence over the Pacific regions supply chain highlighted earlier this year is driving both American industry and our military to rethink where they source goods and materials.

The U.S. Army is now looking to invest $19 billion in projects to procure “next-generation” production capabilities for technologies related to robotics, computer program logic and streamlined engineering and machining tools. The program includes not only updating facilities but also retaining the work force.

There is much to be done and we cannot delay because if we do, we are making ourselves more and more vulnerable to China. Imagine what would happen today if China were to carry out military action against Taiwan as they have threatened. Could we go to that island democracies aid at the risk of a collapse of the Pacific supply chain through Chinese action coupled with the shut off of antibiotics and other medical supplies along with militarily vital goods? Currently I don’t think so and that is why we can’t waste time.

Thomas Kirkpatrick Sr. is a Silver Creek resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com