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"Economically your argument is valid, but what happens when we go to war with China ... and I believe we will? The capacities in engineering and manufacturing will not be there to counter China's huge resources.

One other question begs to be asked. Why is China pouring so many resources into building a modern military when no one is threatening them? They know they will lock horns with the US and securing the pacific will be first and foremost on their mind.

Feel better now?"

And bancrupting our economy through protectionist tariffs would better able us to afford a war with China? How about using our immense economy to procure bullets from India, or Israel, or Mexico, South Korea, or from dozens of other quasi-friendlies?

I've never understood that argument. In order to prepare for the upcoming conflict with China, we must make our entire economy less efficient now. Bear in mind (before I get trampled by protectionist strawmen arguments) that national security is a valid justification for protectionism. That being said, plastic lawn furniture is not a critical component of our national defense strategy.

One other question begs to be asked. Why is China pouring so many resources into building a modern military when no one is threatening them? They know they will lock horns with the US and securing the pacific will be first and foremost on their mind.

They will not "lock horns with the US". When you are really strong you do not need to use it as things go your way naturally.

Wars are often started by those who feel insecure.

And bancrupting our economy through protectionist tariffs would better able us to afford a war with China? How about using our immense economy to procure bullets from India, or Israel, or Mexico, South Korea, or from dozens of other quasi-friendlies?

Ever hear of submarines and airplanes? You have to ship those things over here somehow and those ships will be mincemeat for any Red Chinese wolfpack of subs. Look how the UK was up against the ropes until Lend Lease and the U.S. entry into the war. The UK could have lose or at least would have to negotiate for peace on favorable German terms. Maybe the USSR entering the war, without the aid of the US, might have been a some help with a second front and all taking some pressure off the UK.

Let's face it, you need brick and mortar factories to produce the things you need for war. Even Communism in better than free trade in that respect, although the Soviets took it on the chin in the beginning because most of their industrial might was in reach of German forces, they did manage to relocate some industry east of the Urals, out of German reach. Even so, they did benefit from Lend Lease but if there was no Lend LEase, it would have been a lot togher and more losses, but I think the USSR would have eventually turned itself around too.

WE need to be able to make thing here for war, even the parts, without those, once the bullets run out, we be down to using improvise bows and arrows and crossbows, spears, and whatnot, plus we can throw things at them. Better than nothing I suppose but that is not the position that any nation should be in, especially a First World (soon to be Third World) United States.