> This is an absurd concept when it comes to international trade.

In this case it's just wrong. I don't know what people think "e-waste" recycling actually is or what happens to their "unrepairable" units after they rid themselves of them.

> Even intellectual property is mostly meaningless outside a state.

Interestingly the Dollar is most definitely meaningful outside of our state. I think the assumption becomes, that if this is true, then using it's power to enforce trade sanctions isn't that big a stretch.

> Of course people will evade sanctions

What's less clear if they should expect their government to actively help them in this evasion or not. I think the Chinese citizens are in unique international territory here.

> what is the us going to do, invade singapore or malaysia?

Deny our exports to them. This will cost the political donor class a lot of profits. So this is why it doesn't get done.

None of this is a fait accompli. This is the result of years of intentional corruption of the core systems involved.