Punishing China

It is now clear that the COVID-19 virus came from a level-4 virology lab near Wuhan, China ... and that Chinese authorities waged a propaganda campaign to cover this up and conspire to infect the rest of the world with this virus while limiting its spread within its own country.

This, unfortunately, is typical behavior for this autocratic regime ... and needs to be highlighted and punished. The question is how? May I suggest (pick any two to begin with):

- Insist that all Chinese companies listed on US stock exchanges comply with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and undergo annual published audits by non-Chinese accredited accounting firms.

- Decree that all critical  drug, defense, electronic, computer, software and telecommunications companies move their supply chains and development labs out of China and back to the US.

- Reestablish export controls on critical US technology ... like what once were in place during the last century.

- Permit companies and individuals to sue China for damages arising out of the Wuhan pandemic and patent/copyright infringements. Any judgments coming therefrom need to be paid either directly by China ... or by the US which would then default on the equivalent amount of US debt held by China.

- Thoroughly vet all Chinese students and emigres who have access to critical American know-how to insure that they have not been sent here to spy on America.

- Stop buying rare-earth minerals from China. Switch to the newly-discovered sources off Japan ... or encourage prospecting for same in America.

- Double the tariffs on all Chinese imports ... particularly if it doesn’t live up to its Phase 1 commitments.

- Start a new OPEC (Organization of Pandemic Enduring Countries) to coordinate global sanctions against China.