So then what use is any other approach than simply letting it happen? Words are just that. If violence is out, then the only other approach is escalating the trade war and Chinese isolation, at great cost.

If your only plan is invading China, you don't have a plan.

Precisely, and I'm saying there is no other good plan. If the cost of defending democratic values worldwide is starting WW3, we simply can't defend democratic values worldwide anymore.