Death by China—Confronting the Red Dragon

Greg Autry speaks at a meeting about China, human rights, the massive loss of jobs in the USA and other related matters. His challenge was not to the U.S. government, but to its citizens. (Robin Kemker/Epoch Times)

Greg Autry spoke on China’s economy and its impact on the world to an audience of over 100 people in at the Eagle Forum, a pro-family volunteer organization in Seal Beach, Calif., on Feb. 6.

Autry, an expert on China, co-authored the book “Death By China—Confronting the Red Dragon” with Peter Navarro. Autry serves as senior economist with the American Jobs Alliance and has published extensively on business, economics, politics, space, and China.

Autry has traveled extensively in China visiting businesses, officials, universities, and regular folks in many cities throughout China. He also assisted a charitable health care group that provides services and does research in remote, rural areas of Yunnan province, as mentioned in his book.

Inviting China into the International Club

China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001 was praised as a “win-win” development that would benefit both the U.S. and Chinese economies. Ten years later in 2011, The Economic Policy Institute reported, “the trade deficit with China eliminated or displaced more than 2.7 million U.S. jobs, over 2.1 million of which were in manufacturing.”

Autry presented slides showing the parties involved, which include: many international investors, President Barack Obama, California Governor Jerry Brown, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Hillary Clinton, and U.S. business leaders.

This trade imbalance has created a huge public debt in the United States. As of November 2013, the U.S. debt to China was $1.316 trillion, 23 percent of the total public debt. European and other nations also have trading deficits with China.

The Problem

Autry described the order of events leading to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) system becoming manufacturer of the world, taking with it 2.1 million U.S. manufacturing jobs.

In answering the question, “Is Free Trade free?” Autry paused for a moment.

“Let me say it this way, ‘China’s labor rates allowed it to become the largest shoe manufacturer in the world. The result was we had no shoe manufacturing in the United States. As you may have noticed, shoe prices are now rising to over $100,” said Autry, “They have created a monopoly.”

The Nature of the Chinese Communist Party

Throughout the talk, Autry demonstrated the nature of the CCP. Having lived in China and also assisted other groups that have been persecuted by the CCP, Autry showed photos of persecution he encountered while discussing them and the impact it has had on the Chinese people.

One group he discussed was Falun Gong practitioners, who have suffered persecution for nearly 15 years under the regime. Ethan Gutmann has researched the persecution for nearly a decade. Based on interviews he has done with practitioners who served time in labor camps and other data, he estimates that between 2000 and 2009, the average number of practitioners held in all forms of detention in China was between 450,000 and 1,000,000 at any given time.

The Solution

It appears that the international triad of governments, industry, and leaders is not interested in truly establishing tariffs or other means to discourage the CCP from its predatory practices.

Autry believes that public action can make a difference. He challenged the audience to look into the mirror for the solution by reading the following:

 

1. Be a Hero
2. Boycott Chinese goods—as best you can
3. Make a scene in stores—as often as you can
4. Become an activist shareholder—tell Apple “Stop supporting a criminal regime”
5. Oppose “Confucius Institutes” in our schools
6. Contact your elected representatives—both parties
7. Support politicians who have courage on this issue
8. Support the FBI budget*
9. Stand Up for American Principles
10. Refuse to say, “Peoples Republic”
11. Support Taiwan, Tibet, Chinese Christians, and Falun Gong

 

Autry ended his presentation with a quote from Winston Churchill: “It’s not enough to do our best; sometimes we have to do what is required.”

*The FBI has been diligent in locating and thwarting spying and theft of military and industrial secrets by CCP operatives. Congress should approve the proposed budget.