The dollar floats in value. The Chinese manipulated their currency to make their exports cheaper for years... which worked. Only recently have they eased off on that. They also heavily subsidize shipping to make it cheap to export, make it difficult to sue anyone stealing IP, etc etc.
Sanctions in the US have been about avoiding wars, rather than trade. There are also other global reserve currencies... value of dollar was earned.
Invasions have been shady for raw materials, for sure. Chinese are getting that in smarter ways now, but building their new “Silk Road,” which is a way to ensure they get raw materials mined by Chinese labor by Chinese companies in foreign land by propping up existing corrupt officials. Basically they took a US playbook and made it “better.”
Sanctions in the US have been about avoiding wars, rather than trade. There are also other global reserve currencies... value of dollar was earned.
Invasions have been shady for raw materials, for sure. Chinese are getting that in smarter ways now, but building their new “Silk Road,” which is a way to ensure they get raw materials mined by Chinese labor by Chinese companies in foreign land by propping up existing corrupt officials. Basically they took a US playbook and made it “better.”