Detroit Free Press: Marick Masters on Chinese economic development in U.S.
Michigan is a potential front-runner for a massive new economic development deal, thanks in part to the Virginia governor suggesting Ford Motor Co. and a partner company are conduits for communism and the Chinese government. The ripple effects of this business and political decision from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, will have a real impact on the Dearborn automaker and the people of Michigan, economic and political analysts tell the Free Press. Automakers are watching closely as the anti-China rhetoric heats up in state and national politics. Youngkin has positioned himself as tough on China while dominating headlines for days. It comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another likely presidential candidate, continues to take actions targeting China and Chinese business; last fall he announced a plan to "counteract (the) malign influence of China," as indicated in a September news release. Former President Donald Trump, who has already announced he's running again in 2024, on Wednesday called for "new restrictions on Chinese ownership of any vital infrastructure in the United States" among other actions aimed at reducing Chinese investment in the U.S. Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University, said the GOP political landscape is going to have a dramatic effect on economic development projects in the near term and later. "They will try to roll back China's imprint in the United States in a variety of ways," said Masters, who has also worked as an adjunct professor of political science.
