Reuters columnist Peter Thal Larsen sits down with technology analyst and author Dan Wang to explore what can the US learn from China strategic rise in technology, this was on the latest episode from The Big View.
Their conversation illuminates China’s advantages—and cautionary lessons—for America in the high-stakes global tech showdown.
China’s Strategic Edge in Tech: Semiconductors & EVs
Wang highlights China’s rapid ascent in semiconductors and electric vehicles, attributing it to deliberate state support, strategic investment, and coordinated planning.
Unlike the innovation-first model of Silicon Valley, China focuses on scaling manufacturing and building infrastructure capacity fast.
Drawing from his forthcoming book, Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future, Wang characterizes China as an “engineering state”, capable of swift, large-scale projects despite bureaucratic complexity.
He contrasts this with the U.S.—a “lawyerly society” where litigation and regulation slow infrastructure development and innovation.
Trade Tensions, Controls, and Counterproductive Fallout
Wang argues that U.S. export controls—like those limiting access to Western chip tech—may have inadvertently strengthened China’s domestic chip industry.
These restrictions encouraged Chinese firms to localize and innovate, ironically accelerating the very capabilities the U.S. aimed to constrain.
Infrastructure and Governance: Speed vs. Safeguards
While China’s efficiency in building infrastructure—such as rapid high-speed rail expansion—is unrivaled, it comes with trade-offs.
Centralized decisions can result in coercive social outcomes and limited pluralism.
Wang asserts that America could benefit from adopting China’s engineering pragmatism but must preserve its democratic checks and balances.
Importance of Manufacturing as Global Tech Foundation
Wang emphasizes that manufacturing is not an afterthought—it’s the backbone of technological leadership.
Chinese tech grew not just from invention, but from mastery of scale and production capabilities.
The U.S. risks falling behind if it focuses solely on discovery and neglects implementation.
Strategic Takeaways for U.S. Tech Policy
Wang advocates for a balanced strategy:
- Rebuild U.S. engineering and industrial capacity.
- Simplify regulatory processes to enable large-scale projects.
- Consider calculated industrial partnerships, such as welcoming manufacturing leaders into domestic operations.
This mindset shift, Wang suggests, could help the U.S. maintain technological and economic leadership amid mounting global competition.
Summary Table on How Can the US Learn from China
| Key Insight | What the U.S. Should Consider |
|---|---|
| China’s engineering state model | Emphasize scalability and infrastructure |
| Export restrictions’ unintended effects | Foster domestic innovation and resilience |
| Manufacturing as tech bedrock | Strengthen industrial foundations |
| Balanced governance | Blend efficiency with democratic safeguards |
Source: Reuters
