How China Steals

China has been accused of stealing technology and intellectual property from America for decades, despite claiming that the trade war with the U. S. started with President Trump's tariffs. This summary outlines the scale of China's theft, methods of acquisition, and its impact on American businesses.

• Scale of Theft: A 2024 report states that China steals between $300 billion and $600 billion worth of American technology annually. By extrapolating from previous findings, it can be estimated that China has stolen about $9. 9 trillion since joining the World Trade Organization in 2001.

• Espionage Targets: Only 29% of China's espionage targets are military; most focus on acquiring industrial technology, leading to at least $180 billion losses for American businesses each year.

• Counterfeit Goods: Around 60% of all counterfeit goods sold globally come from China, causing American companies to lose approximately $291 billion in revenue. In 2024, it was estimated that $864 billion in profits were lost by U. S. businesses due to pirated products sold in Chinese e-commerce markets.

• Methods of Theft: China’s main methods include acquiring ownership stakes in American companies and forcing partnerships with U. S. businesses operating in China. In return for short-term profits, American firms share proprietary technology, which is then used by Chinese companies to create competing products.

• Example of Technology Theft: A specific case is the Pearl River Piano Group, which was contracted by Steinway to manufacture lower-end pianos but eventually used the acquired technology to produce competing brands. Huawei is another example of a company built on stolen technology.

To protect American technology and industry, strong tariffs are necessary. Without them, America risks further enabling China to continue its technological theft, leading to greater competition and potential domination in various sectors. 

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/04/how_china_steals.html