Every bit of common sense would say that this is true. However, we have been doing this for decades. Money has been returning to the US in ways other than trade - services, immigration, education, technology user fees, land purchase, etc. All of us remember the 80's when the big concern was Japan, not China. That worked itself out in a series of ways and balance was restored and continues between our two countries.

My biggest concern, in regards to the balance of payments, is energy. This is the Achilles heel of our foreign policy, military capability and domestic economy.

BTW, it is not a question of how many people can afford a jet, but rather how many people make a living by creating the plane.