I remember my history professor recounting a story from
his history prof who interviewed some of the Japanese prisoners after WWII. The question was asked why they never attempted an assault on the US mainland. The Japanese officer replied that they were well aware that the American civilians were free to keep and bear arms. They didn't want to bog down into a quagmire getting killed trying to take one building after another in any west coast towns.
Red Dawn was a cool idea in the 80's. It was nice to see a fanciful ideal of proud Americans holding their own against communist invaders. But I can't see anyone pulling off this type of story idea in the current time.
And yes, China and the US economy are more intertwined than just consumer and producer. They hold a significant percentage of our government securities and long term bonds. It would not be fiscally viable for them to fight directly with us.
If they did, where would Hasbro produce our Joes...?

That would be a better story. A group of Joe collectors fighting to keep a Hasbro factory overseas from being captured by a Chinese government takeover.
Okay, I'm tired and rambling...