You're on the right track, actually. Most of the ways that China intends to resolve the Taiwan question relies on seeking a non military solution. Armed reunification is seen as an absolute resort when all other paths are no longer possible.

The way to deter China from enforcing a blockade is to build up greater Chinese dependence on the rest of the world. With economic dependence - not just trade, dependence - comes true credible deterrence.

If China is dependent on western controlled tech/good/financing and cannot build an indigenous replacement, then China will not risk cutting off that access.

The problem is that China recognizes this weakness and has actively worked to achieve indigenization. So our only real recourse is to show them down while hoping that we give ourselves enough breathing space to maintain that tech gap.