Quote:

So, OK, maybe not Nationalism per se, more like selfishness, plain and simple.



Then don't expect to find a "national" level solution. It doesn't work both ways.
Like I said previously, the practicalities of what used to be a modern "nation state" is a cartographic illusion.
A "nation state" implies that a government exists.
A government (contrary to what politicians would have us believe) is however, powerless to create jobs, wealth or competitiveness.
At best they can give "hand outs" or "tax cuts" and call them (pseudo)incentives.
If a country's industries are becoming less competitive or obsolete, then it is in the hands of the shareholders/private entities to either innovate or adjust to the new circumstances.
One cannot blame another country for being more competitive. Nor should another country's industries voluntarily level the playing field just because of another's shortcomings.
China's standard of living is ... China's problem.

On the other hand it's private capital that creates jobs and that is held by private individuals or entities.
They will have their capital travel to wherever it serves them best (irrespective of their own or the host country's government).
What you may not be aware of is that many (if not the majority) of the manufacturing concerns in China are actually owned/funded by capital from Taiwan.
Go figure eh?

History repeats itself and in the process adjusts to contemporary circumstances/conditions ... or is it vice versa?

Bedouin. Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).