[ardy42]

Very relevant op-ed: https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/10/11/if-the-u-s-doesnt-contr...

tl;dr: Prior to the 80s, the US government was strong and never allowed American companies to organize themselves in ways that allowed foreign powers have power over them and weaken national security. Free market ideas that were implemented by Democrats and Republicans in the 80s/90s weakened the the government's power and encouraged companies to pursue profit over all else. That lead them to put themselves in situations antagonistic foreign powers could exert control over them to the determent of the US, which is starting to happen with China. If the US government doesn't strengthen its hold over these companies, the Chinese government will, which will be detrimental to US national security and public policy goals. Trump's trade war is a start, but people like him rely on a weak, disorganized state, so he's not the one to successfully see this through.