America is right to finally push back against China’s long-standing trade and economic abuses. However, what happens if the trade war launched by President Trump fails to convince Chinese President Xi Jinping to change Beijing’s policies? What if Mr. Trump decides to escalate with higher tariffs?

There are three dangers America faces: Recession here at home, pushing China and Russia together, and an increased risk of war.

Beijing has long practiced intellectual property theft and forced technology transfers from businesses that want to do business in China. The list of Beijing’s actions against free trade is long, and these two practices stand out as among the worst.

Mr. Trump campaigned on getting tough on China and put tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese exports to America. Beijing retaliated with tariffs on $110 billion of U.S. exports to China.

At the 2018 G20 summit, both Mr. Trump and Mr. Xi agreed to a 90-day ceasefire. Currently, officials are attempting to resolve differences before the truce ends. Meanwhile, Washington is set to cover all Chinese goods with tariffs.

America’s interests will not be served well if the trade war resumes at new heights sufficient to cause an American and Chinese recession. Americans would suffer as normally cheap goods from China become increasingly expensive.

Imagine if working-class families could no longer find everyday items that fit their budgets. Clothing, computers, phones, nearly everything at Walmart and similar big box stores would cost more.

Also, imagine if these families faced layoffs as the factories, energy firms and farms that export U.S. goods to China close due to Beijing’s tariffs.