US President Donald Trump instructed the US Trade Representative to commence investigating Chinese infringement of intellectual property rights. By framing this effort under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, the Trump administration could impose high and widespread tariffs on Chinese imports.

Whatever Trump or Putin might want, US-Russia relations are set to deteriorate, as the forces pulling the two countries apart are stronger than those holding them together.

Donald Trump’s presidency has created convulsions in the American political landscape.

Trump is trying to compensate for his diplomatic handicaps in Asia by stirring up antagonism against China. It won’t work.

America isn’t on track to becoming “great again.” Here’s why, and what can be done about it.

Until a strategy is set, there will continue to be confused and conflicting messages from different quarters of the United States government on China, disagreement and sloppiness on proper sequencing of actions, and limits to our ability to elicit Chinese cooperation, as Beijing hesitates to commit to U.S. initiatives because of uncertainty over the steadfastness and coherence of U.S. policy. As the administration charts next steps with China, it should widen the aperture of its focus.

On August 2, U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.” With Trump-Putin relations agitated and China and the U.S. still lacking cooperation on the issue of North Korea, who will be the biggest loser amidst the superpowers? Who will benefit from the sanctions?

At the state level, Governor of Michigan Rick Snyder has invested energy, attention, and travel time into cultivating lasting and productive relationships with Chinese government and business leaders. His efforts have produced extensive economic benefits for his state and region; providing a blue print for the combative President Trump on how American leaders can turn a positive relationship with China into big wins at home. 

Throughout his time in the political spotlight, Donald Trump has raised eyebrows with boisterous speeches and absurd statements, causing many to question his mental capacity to lead. But, while his opponents at home and abroad decry his antics as insanity, could President Trump actually be executing a specific policy strategy?