Jan 10 , 2019

Apple announced last Wednesday that it failed to meet sales expectations in China. This, along with other warning signs, suggests that the Chinese economy is slowing down. And as China acted as one of the main engines of the global post-2008 recovery, this spells trouble for the global economy.

Dec 12 , 2018

The arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was another blow in the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China. Wanzhou’s arrest prompts two important questions: First, what are the immediate implications for Huawei and the rest of the tech industry? Second, what are the wider implications for U.S.-China trade and technological competition?

Sep 13 , 2018

North Korean leaders carefully cultivated the tone of the recent 70th anniversary celebrations to avoid antagonizing both Beijing and Washington. This could offer reason for cautious optimism regarding the continuing negotiations, but significant remaining differences in U.S. and North Korean aims and expectations should temper any early celebrations.

Jun 15 , 2018

After the G7 and SCO summits last weekend, it is tempting to paint a simplistic picture of a Western world unraveling at the seams and an increasingly cohesive alternative order led by powers like China. While there is an element of truth in this narrative, it is important not to overlook the enduring motives for cooperation within the Western bloc and obstacles to cooperation between the SCO powers.

Apr 19 , 2018

The Trump administration has come back around to the TPP for the same reasons that the Obama administration pushed the deal in the first place: its use as a bargaining chip in the struggle for Asian hegemony.

Mar 14 , 2018

Regarding China, Pompeo is likely to offer more of the same mixed approach that has thus far characterized the Trump administration’s policy. On the one hand, Pompeo has endorsed the notion that China is an economic threat to the United States, and on the other hand, Pompeo has spoken positively of Xi Jinping, particularly with reference to China’s role in helping to place pressure on North Korea.

Feb 09 , 2018

The 2018 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review makes a number of claims about growing Chinese military capabilities and the need for even greater investment in nuclear modernization to counter these supposed threats. Benjamin Reynolds analyzes the key points of this document that relate to China.

Jan 10 , 2018

To what extent are CFIUS decisions influenced by the Trump administration’s policy preferences? And how will a more aggressive CFIUS impact U.S.-China trade and Chinese investment in the United States over the medium-to-long term?

Dec 12 , 2017

The U.S. Congress appears poised to pass major tax reform legislation before the end of 2017. There will be international spillover from these proposed changes.

Nov 28 , 2017

At the 19th Communist Party Congress, President Xi signaled a move away from the longstanding tradition of setting annual GDP growth targets. This shift reflects a necessary recognition of China’s transition away from the ultra-rapid growth rates of the previous three decades. However, this policy change may also signal a desire to minimize perverse incentives for local party officials to distort economic data and pursue otherwise-useless development projects to boost growth figures.