I think you've hit the nail on the head, as witnessed by Japan putting a lot of cash (via bonds and buying property)
here.
I sure hope the free trade crowd are correct, 'cause we have feed a tiger for a long time.
Correct about what? You give them far too much credit; thinking that they somehow have a grand strategy to eliminate a Chinese threat by empowering them.
Sure, that's what they've said. In reality, the generation of Americans currently in charge of both government and business is far more concerned with lining their pockets than anything else; even if it means that future generations may have to fight an enemy that we have created. Of course, most of them are too dim to realize what they are doing; and none of them (apparently) own a history book.