Western blame of China masks own deindustrialization failures
Western nations and Japan, having embraced post-industrial, services-based economies for decades, now find themselves unable to reverse manufacturing decline. China's strategic long-term planning filled the resulting supply-demand gap, dominating global manufacturing. Policymakers in the US, Europe, and Japan blame China instead of addressing their own policy choices that hollowed out industrial bases. The article argues that reindustrialization efforts are hampered by the very policies that led to deindustrialization, while China continues to advance.
Key facts
- US, Europe, and Japan became post-industrial, services-oriented economies.
- China strategically planned long-term to fill manufacturing gaps.
- Western nations struggle to reindustrialize after decades of hollowing out manufacturing.
- China dominates global manufacturing.
- Western policymakers blame China for job losses.
- Japan was once proud of its manufacturing skills.
- The article is based on reporting and analysis of industrial and deindustrializing policies in Britain, Japan, and elsewhere.
- The author argues Western nations entered the post-industrial cul-de-sac willingly.
Entities
Institutions
- South China Morning Post
Locations
- United States
- Europe
- Japan
- China
- Britain