The calculation China is running now — even apart from the election — is how far it can build up its military before America significantly reshores enough manufacturing to be able to fight an extended war.

This is what matters to the conflict that is coming; this is the make or break. It is a race most of us here in the US do not even know we’re running, but we are. If we can restore enough domestic manufacturing capability before China determines it’s ready to fight, we’ll come out ahead. If not, China will take Taiwan and eventually Philippines and the territory of other allies.

And right now, it’s not looking good for us.