US CHINA RELATIONS

Jan 17 2025POLITICS

Trump & Xi Chat: TikTok's Fate & More

Former US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping chatted for the first time since 2021. The topic? TikTok! This call happened just hours before the Supreme Court was set to decide the app's fate. A US law about to take effect would have banned TikTok unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sold the platform. Trump's team has been talking to Beijing, but...

reading time less than a minute
Jan 07 2025POLITICS

China’s Quiet Presence in the Panama Canal: A Strategic Concern

You might think the Panama Canal is free from foreign interference, but there’s more going on than meets the eye. While the Panamanian President assures us there are no Chinese soldiers in sight, experts worry about the country’s growing ties with China. It’s not just about troops; it’s about control. China has a strong presence through companies like Hutchison, whic...

reading time less than a minute
Dec 28 2024BUSINESS

Elon Musk's Chinese Connections: What's the Deal?

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been under scrutiny for his close ties with China. Recently, his influence on a spending bill and pro-China comments have raised red flags among Republicans. Musk's business in China is a big deal—Tesla's Shanghai factory is its largest, producing half of its cars. He's met with high-ranking Chinese officials and praised Ch...

reading time about 1 minute
Dec 23 2024TECHNOLOGY

Drone Dilemma: Why the U. S. Wants to Ban Chinese Brands

A recent defense bill has sparked concern among drone users like Russell Hedrick, a North Carolina farmer, who relies on Chinese-made drones for his work. These drones, known for their affordability and efficiency, are under scrutiny due to national security fears. Congress wants to stop new sales of Chinese drones, arguing they pose espionage threats. This ban could...

reading time less than a minute
Dec 17 2024POLITICS

Biden's China Tech Deal: A Risky Move?

President Joe Biden's team has just agreed to a five-year extension of a science and technology sharing agreement with China, originally set up by President Jimmy Carter. The problem? China has a history of using this knowledge to boost its military power. While the State Department claims new safeguards are in place, China's interests haven't changed. Congressman Jo...

reading time less than a minute
Dec 15 2024POLITICS

China's Friendship Offer Ahead of Trump's Inauguration

This week, President Xi Jinping of China indicated that Beijing is ready to work with the incoming U. S. President, Donald Trump, to resolve trade disputes. In a letter to a U. S. -China business council, Xi underlined the importance of choosing dialogue over conflicts and cooperation over competition. This message mirrors what Xi said earlier in the week at a meetin...

reading time less than a minute
Dec 14 2024POLITICS

US and China Team Up on Science, but with New Rules

The United States and China have decided to play nice in the science and tech sandbox for another five years. They've refreshed a 40-year-old agreement, but this time with some new rules. The pact, which was almost left in the past, now has more focus on basic research and keeps a closer eye on safety and security. The agreement has been under negotiation for months...

reading time about 1 minute
Dec 13 2024POLITICS

U. S. and China Update Science Pact: A New Era of Tech Rivalry

In a move reflecting the changing times, the U. S. has revamped its old science and technology agreement with China. The new deal, inked after lengthy talks, is smaller in scope and has extra safeguards to keep national security safe. The State Department says it protects intellectual property and ensures transparency and data fairness. The agreement now only covers...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 28 2024BUSINESS

US to Tighten Rules on China's Tech Access

The US government is set to announce new measures on Monday that aim to limit China's ability to develop advanced artificial intelligence. This includes potentially sanctioning around 200 Chinese companies that make equipment for semiconductors and restricting some chip manufacturing plants linked to tech giant Huawei. The US Department of Commerce is also considerin...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 27 2024POLITICS

Freedom at Last: Three Americans Released from Chinese Detention

In an unexpected turn of events, the US has secured the release of three Americans who had been held captive in China for several years. The news broke earlier this week, with a spokesperson from the US National Security Council confirming the release of Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung. These Americans are now on their way back home to reunite with their families...

reading time about 1 minute