Many commentators I admire (including Martin Feldstein) seem to assume that it is somehow wrong for China to make technology transfer as a condition of investment. As far as I know, there is no rule in the WTO prohibiting such practice.



I would have thought that technology transfer is a good thing, so long as they are done on an arms length basis. US firms that don't want to meet China's conditions for investment can always set up shop elsewhere (e.g., Vietnam, or back in the US), and export their products to China.



In fact, the latest IMF World Economic Outlook (Chapter 4) argues that technology transfer has boosted economic growth in emerging economies. Is that not a good thing?



One gets the feeling that American commentators view the prospect of China and emerging countries becoming rich as somehow a threat to America.



Americans ought to reflect on their goals and commitments. Do Americans have exclusively self-regarding preferences? I don't believe so. Yet, US governments have done little to distribute the "peace dividend" (post Cold War) and the "global trade dividend" more fairly within America, instead allowing wealth to be concentrated among the few. If US governments were more committed to addressing inequality and disadvantage in the US, other countries might be more sympathetic to helping America. But why should China help America when any gains end up in the hands of wealthy Americans? Far better for China to concentrate on eliminating poverty within China!



There are three challenges that confront our generation: (i) climate change, (ii) growth that is inclusive (as well as sustainable), both within and across nations, and (iii) the refugee crisis. In each of these, nations have to work together.