China Expert: Beijing 'Throwing a Fit' Over US Export Blacklist and Panama Canal Deal

US Export Blacklist and AI Supercomputers

• 💡 The Commerce Department has added over 50 Chinese companies to its export blacklist for developing advanced AI supercomputers and chips for military purposes.
• ⚠️ Gordon Chang notes that while this is a good move, China often uses other companies to acquire US technology, emphasizing that all Chinese companies are a threat due to the Communist Party's doctrine of military-civil fusion.
• 🎯 Chang suggests the most important move for the administration would be to remove Chinese stocks from US exchanges to prevent Americans from investing in companies working against the US.

Panama Canal Ports Deal and Chinese Influence

• 🚢 A Hong Kong-based company, CK Hutcherson, plans to sell 43 ports, including two near the Panama Canal, to a US investment group for $23 billion.
• 🧐 This deal is proceeding despite apparent anger from Beijing, with the Trump Administration seeking to curb Chinese influence in South America.
• 🌍 CIA Director John Ratcliffe testified that China's influence in Panama and across Central and South America has increased through initiatives like the Belt and Road initiative, direct aid, and funding universities.

Beijing's Reaction and Hong Kong Defiance

• 🎭 Beijing is reportedly