Staff Reports
Kevin O’Leary, the business mogul from Shark Tank, told Congress that China’s cheating has gone on too long. He said American companies are getting robbed blind by Chinese theft of ideas and technology. O’Leary argued the only way to stop it is by slapping China with to force them to play fair.
For years, China has stolen blueprints, formulas, and designs from U.S. companies. They’ve copied everything from smartphone screens to self-driving car software. Chinese courts even let local companies sue American firms using stolen patents! O’Leary called this a “rigged system” that punishes U.S. innovation while rewarding Chinese thieves.
Current tariffs aren’t working, O’Leary said. He wants to crank them up to to hit China where it hurts. Higher tariffs would make Chinese goods too expensive for U.S. shoppers, forcing their leaders to negotiate. “China needs us more than we need them,” he argued. Without access to American consumers, their economy would crumble.
President Trump’s team has already raised tariffs, but O’Leary says they’re not aggressive enough. He praised Trump for being the first leader to finally confront China after decades of weak policies. Previous administrations let China steal trillions in intellectual property without consequences. Now’s the time to fight back hard, O’Leary insisted.
China’s leader Xi Jinping can’t afford mass unemployment, O’Leary explained. If tariffs shut down Chinese factories, angry workers could threaten Xi’s grip on power. America holds all the cards as the world’s top economy. Squeezing China now could force them to respect U.S. patents and stop the theft once and for all.
Small businesses are getting crushed by Chinese knockoffs, O’Leary warned. A company hits $5 million in sales, and suddenly Chinese copycats flood the market with cheap imitations. This kills jobs and innovation. He doesn’t care if tariffs cause short-term price hikes—it’s worth it to save American entrepreneurship long-term.
O’Leary dismissed critics who say tariffs will hurt consumers. “Volatility? Acid reflux? I don’t care,” he said. Letting China keep stealing is far worse. The U.S. must flex its economic muscle now before China grows too powerful. Every day we wait, they steal more tech to use against us.
The message is clear: America won’t be pushed around anymore. With strong tariffs and a president willing to fight, we can finally make China obey the rules. O’Leary’s call for isn’t just about trade—it’s about defending American genius from foreign predators. The era of coddling China is over.
