If the yuan rises, they will stay in China and simply pass on the higher costs of production to their U.S. customers because they must stay there.

FORBES: Condemning China on Currency Will Only Hurt U.S. Economy

The United States still is the biggest market in financial terms, though China is expected to pass that soon.

NPR: China's Struggling Automakers Jump On SUV Boom

China is set to pass Japan by the end of the year, and become the second largest global ad market.

FORBES: Ogilvy's Miles Young On The Rise Of China

Liu says he did not break the law, or intend to pass secrets to China.

BBC: US jails Chinese engineer for exporting trade secrets

Moreover, China has been able to partially pass through inflation to other countries, as the export price index has risen by 11.9% since last September.

FORBES: What the US Might Do About China's "Go Slow" Approach to Revaluing the Renminbi

Japan is the second largest single-country economy, with China close behind (and expected to pass Japan this year).

FORBES: Connect

China is now the second biggest regional market for Apple and it will pass the U.S. to become the largest market for them in the near future, Apple CEO Tim Cook said during his visit to Beijing last month.

FORBES: China Stripping U.S. Lead In Smart Devices Just Weeks Away

As the smartphone markets of North America and Western Europe pass 50% penetration, smartphone OEMs should seek growth in key markets, such as China, which continues to show strong shipment growth of over 80%.

ENGADGET: ABI: Apple and Samsung have over 55 percent of the smartphone space, 90 percent of its money-making