As the 2026 elections approach, Americans will be faced with major choices. Politicians will talk about inflation, taxes, jobs, security, and foreign policy. But one issue that deserves far more attention is the United States’ trade relationship with China. It affects nearly every area of national life, from the economy to defense, but continues to get far less focus than it deserves.
In his important book We Are Funding China’s Growth That Must Stop!, economist Edouard Prisse highlights a tough truth: the U.S. is not just trading with China, it is helping fund China’s rise. Every year, the United States imports more goods from China than it exports. That gap has created a massive trade deficit. While Americans get cheaper products, China collects billions in surplus cash, which it uses to expand its influence around the world.
This should not be a partisan issue. Whether you support stronger domestic manufacturing, care about reducing foreign influence, or want to protect U.S. jobs, the current trade imbalance touches all of it. For decades, American towns that once depended on industry have struggled. Many of those jobs were sent overseas, often to China, where labor costs are low, environmental standards are weaker, and government support gives local companies an edge.
Yet the issue is about more than lost jobs. China is using the profits from this trade to fund infrastructure projects in Africa, Latin America, the South Pacific, and Europe. They are building ports, bridges, and digital networks—not as aid, but as long-term tools of influence. This is a global strategy. And a large portion of that funding comes directly from the U.S. trade deficit.
Some political candidates speak about being “tough on China,” but words are not enough. Real policy change has to address the foundation of the relationship: the money. As Prisse explains, no number of tariffs or slogans will solve the problem unless the flow of cash is reduced.
The solution he offers is Equal Trade. Instead of unlimited imports from China, the U.S. should only import as much from China as China imports from the U.S., measured in total value. This would not stop trade. It would simply make it more balanced, reducing China’s ability to turn trade profits into global dominance.
But there is another concern voters should not ignore—disinformation. China is not just exporting goods. It is exporting ideas, often through subtle channels like media, research institutions, and online platforms. In some cases, even U.S.-based academics and experts are unintentionally promoting narratives that soften criticism of China or downplay the risks of economic dependence. This shapes how voters see the issue, making it harder to build public support for change.
So what can we, as voters, do? We only need to ask clear questions when evaluating candidates:
- Do they have a plan to reduce dependence on Chinese imports?
- Will they support reshoring critical industries?
- Do they recognize how trade affects security, not just profit?
- Are they serious about enforcing fair and reciprocal agreements?
The 2026 election could be a turning point and a chance for Americans to choose leaders who understand that economic policy is national security policy. The trade imbalance with China is not sustainable. And continuing down the same path will only make it harder to protect American independence, values, and long-term interests.
Before casting a vote, every citizen should take the time to understand this issue. And in this regard, Prisse’s book offers clear explanations, hard data, and a practical way forward, which will help us to stop China’s manipulation and make America a global leader again.
We Are Funding China’s Growth That Must Stop! is essential reading for anyone who wants to vote smarter in 2026, because right now, we’re not just losing at Monopoly; we’re playing against a rival that already owns the bank, wrote the rules, and has a plan for every property on the board. Here is a link to purchase: www.amazon.com/dp/1967963053
