Not even close. If he were a protecionist, then he wouldn't spend time singling out China, our enemy. He'd be going after egyptian cotton, Aussie wool, Tawainese electronics, Chilean wine, etc. He is going after China, who yoou apparently thinks is not manipulating trade to undercut us.
He's going after them now because it plays well to the populists. There will always be a trade demon to whip up public sentiment for protection. The EU is highly protectionist but bashing them just doesn't play to the crowds as well. I like Hunter but he's being an opportunist on this issue and is advocating more for government control of the economy. Where does his do gooding end? How can you be sure? Protectionists don't do well in national elections. That's why I wish he would drop this protectionist rhetoric.
If China is undercutting us why is their economy one-seventh the size of ours? Why is our GDP per capita 30 times greater? You act like a country that manipulates their economy can be successful in the long term. Never has worked and never will. There is no need for us to shoot ourselves in the feet just because they do it.