Communist China poses a greater challenge to American prosperity, peace, and international order than the Soviet Union ever did. But countering China should not mean a rebirth of American protectionism.

I note this in light of the rising conservative disagreement over how to address China once the coronavirus pandemic passes. One viewpoint is that of Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley. Speaking on Wednesday, Hawley correctly identified China’s mortal threat to the U.S.-led liberal international order. But he also argued that the United States cannot contain that challenge unless it withdraws from what Hawley sees as broken international free trade frameworks, such as the World Trade Organization.