When the USSR was around, especially near the end, China was actually a quasi-ally of the US. We sold military hardware to them until the Tiananmen Square massacre. We wanted them as a way to counter balance the USSR. Investing in China and engaging in free trade with them seemed like a reasonable way of changing them from communism to something closer to capitalism. China was willing to reform their economic system but we were much less successful in nudging them towards a democracy.
Furthermore, until 2008 and our financial meltdown, China was a willing student of the US. After 2008, China saw how we allowed our financial systems spiral out of control, they turned away and started looking for their own path.
That said, in thing in general, the world should diversify its supply lines. It's just good policy in general -- be it for political reasons, wars, natural disasters, or pandemics.
Furthermore, until 2008 and our financial meltdown, China was a willing student of the US. After 2008, China saw how we allowed our financial systems spiral out of control, they turned away and started looking for their own path.
That said, in thing in general, the world should diversify its supply lines. It's just good policy in general -- be it for political reasons, wars, natural disasters, or pandemics.