[est]

It goes both ways. Why doesn't Mexico have a IP "theft" problem? Because they are only capable of labor outsourcing.

China on the other hand has a complete domestic industry, they can make everything from tiny screws to atom bombs. There are only handful of countries can do this, if I recall correctly only USA and China. These countries' government has a long term goal of a self-sufficient, independent economy in case of doomsday scenario. Rest of the world depend on each other somehow.

Thus China kinda have an strong domestic supply chain. And it would be foolish not to copy because you have the productivity and scale advantage.

[coliveira]

I wouldn't count the US among countries that can produce anything. Of course things can change, but right now the US doesn't produce most things that are consumed internally, and it has been like that for more than a decade.

[ericd]

I’m not saying they shouldn’t try, just commenting on how I see their attempt being structured to exploit a weakness in US companies, which the US govt. should probably try to patch via law.