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China cannot be relied upon for making quality goods. They seek, as a society and as a government, to give others crud that they will find a way to grudgingly accept, as long as they get US dollars, in return. For instance, a recent set of “good” Oneida “silverware,” bought at Costco (made in China), was supposed to be stainless steel, but pieces not have divots in them. Another purchase of a “higher-end” scale from Amazon that was supposed to have stainless steel as the metal for the top is showing shallow rusting in places. These examples are the kind of continual bait-and-switch we have grown to put up with, and it's just the latest example of what has always been. Trade with China leaves customers screwed, but also without viable alternatives.

Top that with companies willingly giving up ownership in any company presence in China, and we've effectively given away everything to get cheap labor. We don't even have to do that with Vietnam production, but, still, have to worry about the quality. Perhaps sourcing and manufacturing in Central and South America would be the better choice, but best, is in the US, where we have the education and legal framework and some semblance of a Judeo-Christian ethic, left.

There are some interesting possibilities with AI coming, but we can't expect much more for a long time ahead from it than what as been proffered, to date. It can get refined, but I don't see waiting around, spending a ton of time and money, to try to dream up something new from it. Invest in what you can know.

Be more worried about viable energy sources (not wind or solar), transportation, and concerns around conflicts that impact trade.

My two cents.

Perhaps sourcing and manufacturing in Central and South America would be the better choice, but best, is in the US, where we have the education and legal framework and some semblance of a Judeo-Christian ethic, left.

This is meaty food for thought. We have had a long history since WW2, and especially since Clinton, of feeding our enemies. First the muslim world, now China. If we were to develop good supply businesses in South America, perhaps we could suffer less immigration, as well. It would require strong leadership against the drug kings.