For decades, Western nations have relied on China as the workshop of the world. From consumer electronics to critical medical supplies, goods stamped with “Made in China” fill our homes, businesses and institutions. This global integration has been celebrated as a triumph of free trade and efficiency. Yet, beneath the surface lies a growing vulnerability that many overlook. Our increasing reliance on China is not simply an economic issue; it has profound consequences for national security.
Edouard Prisse, in his book We Are Funding China’s Growth, argues that the West has been financing China’s rise while underestimating the risks of dependency. The issue is not limited to trade deficits or lost jobs. At its core, the danger lies in how China import dependence problems expose Western nations to political, strategic and societal risks. In this blog, we will unpack these risks, explain why they matter and highlight why it is urgent for the West to change course.
The Illusion of Endless Supply Chains
When globalization accelerated in the late 20th century, leaders promised efficiency, affordability and prosperity. The idea was simple: let each country specialize in what it does best and everyone benefits. For the West, that meant outsourcing manufacturing to lower-cost nations, with China quickly becoming the central hub.
At first, the arrangement seemed ideal. Factories in China produced goods at prices Western manufacturers could not match. Consumers enjoyed lower costs, while companies reaped higher profits. Yet, this arrangement created a fragile system where essential goods had to travel across oceans and through complex logistics chains.
The China import dependence problems became clear during moments of disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed just how much the West relied on China for critical supplies, from personal protective equipment to basic pharmaceuticals. Entire nations struggled to secure masks and ventilators, not because they lacked the resources to produce them, but because they had outsourced that capability long ago. The illusion of endless supply chains shattered, exposing a dangerous vulnerability.
Cheap Goods, Costly Consequences
It is tempting to see cheap imports as a win-win. After all, who doesn’t appreciate affordable smartphones, clothing or household appliances? However, these bargains come with hidden costs that extend far beyond the checkout counter.
First, the hollowing out of domestic industries has left many Western nations less self-sufficient. When factories move overseas, communities lose jobs, skills fade and innovation stagnates. Rebuilding lost industries takes decades and by then, dependence has already solidified.
Second, cheap goods foster complacency. Because prices are low, the public rarely questions where products come from or what risks are attached. This complacency allows China import dependence problems to deepen unchecked. The West has traded industrial independence for temporary convenience by prioritizing short-term savings over long-term resilience.
Third, dependence shifts leverage. Every dollar spent on Chinese imports strengthens Beijing’s economy, giving it more resources to invest in military, technology and global influence. Meanwhile, Western nations have fewer industries to support their national security. Cheap goods, in this sense, are anything but cheap.
Strategic Vulnerabilities in Critical Sectors
Not all imports are created equal. Some goods are luxuries, but others are indispensable to national security. Here is where China import dependence problems become most alarming.
Take rare earth minerals, for example. These materials are essential for everything from smartphones to advanced weapon systems. China controls the majority of global production, which gives it enormous leverage over industries and defense systems worldwide. If Beijing decided to restrict exports, entire sectors in the West could grind to a halt.
The medical field provides another clear example. From antibiotics to surgical masks, China dominates the production of many essential items. The pandemic demonstrated that Western nations cannot assume unrestricted access in times of crisis. The inability to produce basic medical goods at home is more than an inconvenience; it is a national security risk.
Even high-tech industries face the same challenge. Semiconductors, batteries and telecommunications equipment often depend on Chinese supply chains. As technology becomes the backbone of defense and economic competitiveness, this dependency could leave the West dangerously exposed in future conflicts or geopolitical standoffs.
How Dependence Becomes a Weapon
Dependency in trade is not neutral. It creates leverage that can be weaponized. China understands this dynamic well and has already used economic pressure to advance its political goals.
For instance, when countries criticized Beijing’s policies or took positions contrary to its interests, China has responded with trade restrictions, boycotts, or reduced exports. These measures send a clear message: challenge China and you risk losing access to critical goods. This kind of coercive power highlights the most dangerous aspect of China’s import dependence problems; it gives Beijing tools to influence other nations’ decisions without firing a single shot.
Imagine a future conflict in which the West must confront China’s geopolitical ambitions. If entire industries rely on Chinese imports, the cost of confrontation will seem unbearable. Leaders may hesitate, not because the cause is unworthy but because the economic pain would be immediate and devastating. This scenario turns trade dependence into a national security liability of the highest order.
The Role of Misinformation and Misplaced Optimism
One reason the West has ignored these risks for so long is misinformation. For decades, the dominant narrative painted trade with China as a path to peace and cooperation. Policymakers, business leaders and even respected think tanks reassured the public that economic integration would encourage democratic reforms in China.
This optimism was not only misplaced but also dangerous. It blinded Western societies to the realities of how China operates. Instead of becoming more open, China used trade as a tool to consolidate its state-controlled economy and expand its global influence. Meanwhile, the risks of dependency were downplayed or dismissed altogether.
The persistence of this narrative continues to delay necessary action. Edouard Prisse explains in We Are Funding China’s Growth that China import dependence problems were not created overnight. They are the product of decades of illusions and errors, reinforced by voices that failed to challenge conventional wisdom. Recognizing the role of misinformation is crucial if the West hopes to correct course.
Lessons from History: Dependency Always Comes at a Price
History is filled with examples of nations that suffered from economic dependence. The Roman Empire’s reliance on external resources contributed to its decline. More recently, European powers experienced the vulnerability of colonial trade systems that collapsed during times of war and disruption.
The lesson is simple: no nation can remain secure if it relies too heavily on another for essential goods. Dependency creates weakness and weakness invites exploitation. The China import dependence problems we face today are no different. They represent a repeating pattern in history where short-term gains blind societies to long-term dangers.
If the West wishes to avoid repeating these mistakes, it must confront the reality of its dependence and take deliberate steps to reduce it. History shows that resilience, not convenience, determines survival in times of crisis.
Building a More Resilient Future
So, what can be done? Recognizing the problem is only the first step. The West must actively work to reduce China import dependence problems by investing in resilience and rebuilding critical industries.
First, governments should prioritize reshoring or nearshoring industries vital to national security. This includes pharmaceuticals, advanced technology and defense-related materials. While bringing back every industry may not be possible, focusing on the most strategic sectors is essential.
Second, diversification must become a guiding principle. Relying solely on China is a recipe for disaster. Building stronger trade ties with multiple nations, particularly trusted allies, can spread risk and reduce vulnerability.
Third, public awareness must grow. Citizens need to understand that cheap goods often come with hidden costs. By supporting domestic industries and making informed purchasing choices, consumers can play a role in strengthening resilience.
Finally, policymakers must acknowledge past mistakes and adopt a long-term vision. Short-term profits should never outweigh national security. Only by rebalancing priorities can the West protect itself from the dangers of dependency.
Why This Matters Now
The debate over globalization and trade is not an abstract academic exercise; it is about nations’ safety, sovereignty and future. As Edouard Prisse warns in We Are Funding China’s Growth, the West has already lost valuable time. The longer we wait to address China import dependence problems, the more difficult it will be to reverse course.
This is not about shutting down trade altogether. It is about recognizing where dependence has become dangerous and taking steps to ensure that national security is never compromised by economic convenience. The choices we make today will shape the balance of power for decades to come.
Final Thoughts
Dependence on China is no longer just a matter of economics; it is a matter of national survival. This issue touches every sector, from healthcare to defense and every delay in addressing it increases the risks we face.
We Are Funding China’s Growth offers a clear-eyed analysis of how we arrived at this moment and what must be done to change course. It is both a warning and a guide, urging us to rethink our assumptions before it is too late.
If we value our independence, our security and our future, we must act now. Breaking free from dependency will not be easy, but the cost of inaction will be far greater.