West rewrites trade rules to counter China's industrial rise

The US and Europe, once champions of open trade, are now pushing to rewrite global trade rules to counter China's industrial competitiveness. They accuse China of unfair trade practices, but Beijing argues that Chinese companies have simply become efficient, innovative, and globally competitive. For decades, the West urged China to open markets, lower tariffs, welcome foreign investment, and strengthen intellectual property protection. China complied by changing laws, deregulating its economy, and creating business incentives. Now, as industrial competition intensifies, Western governments fear deindustrialization and supply-chain vulnerabilities, leading to tariffs, subsidies, and trade defense instruments. Protectionism is back in vogue.