They are not correct about NSLs - the level of control exercised by those is not even remotely comparable to the level of power that the CCP holds (and exercises) over Chinese companies. Nobody thinks that NSLs don't exist, it's just that they're not comparable to the issue at hand.

And, in particular, the US government does not either possess or exercise the power over US companies to coerce them to steal IP from other countries - which is the issue under discussion.

What can I say, I'm attempting to add nuance and scrutiny to what is a black-and-white issue for most of HN.

Since your intention is to add nuance and scrutiny, you should be posting much more thoughtfully and substantively than comments like these:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29594691

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29597691

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29596075

Those comments aren't adding nuance, they're perpetuating flamewar. Please don't do that.

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html