While American politicians, policymakers, and journalists focus on events in the Middle East, China has emerged, largely unchallenged, as an economic superpower with an ever-growing ability to exert significant influence over U.S. economic, financial, and political institutions. That's the view of Dr. Peter Navarro, a business professor at the University of California, Irvine. Moreover, according to Dr. Navarro, who has written a book entitled "The Coming China Wars: Where They Will Be Fought and How They Can Be Won," China's current economic relationship with the rest of the world is fraught with danger. And this applies not only to manufacturing but to high-tech industries like biotechnology as well.


During this week's podcast Dr. Navarro summarizes his book's main topics, which do not relate to a military conflict but rather to battles over decent jobs, livable wages, and leading edge technologies. He shows why biotechnology and pharmaceuticals might be the most instructive case examples of what he calls China's "mercantilist economic development policy."


Dr. Navarro does point out what many see as the major benefits of off shoring biopharma research to China and admits that a good number of biotech and pharma companies are flocking to the country. He also addresses some of the chief concerns of these companies, such as patent piracy and counterfeit products.


Dr. Navarro emphasizes that, in his opinion, the off shoring of biopharma to China has important implications for U.S. education and economic development and he goes on to describe these implications.


Dr. Navarro acknowledges that as China moves toward challenging the U.S. as the top economic player on the world stage, the off shoring of biopharma research and manufacturing projects will probably not only continue but increase as well. He then offers some suggestions for making these business dealings between China and the U.S. and the rest of the world a win-win relationship rather than a zero-sum game.


Listen to the podcast then return to the blog to give us your thoughts on the following questions:


Do you believe China adheres to its own set of rules in the international business arena, including its relationship with the global biopharmaceutical industry? If so, what do you think needs to be done to ensure a more level playing field between China and biotechnology companies from other parts of the world?


Or, if you prefer, post your own topic on the biotech industry subject of your choice. Please share your opinions and observations.