Gordon Chang Warns Trump Needs to Act on China Trade & Alliances Quickly

China's Cyber Espionage and Trade Tactics

• 🕵️ Chinese hackers allegedly impersonated a US lawmaker via email to gain insights into trade negotiations, a tactic highlighted by The Wall Street Journal.
• 📉 Trade talks between Washington and Beijing are described as slow-going, with China employing a strategy of "keep talking, give no ground".
• 📊 China's exports to the US have significantly dropped, and overall growth has slowed, indicating pressure from existing tariffs.

Political Instability in Beijing

• 🇨🇳 Gordon Chang suggests that political turmoil in Beijing, particularly uncertainty around Xi Jinping's future, is a primary reason for the stalled trade talks.
• ⚠️ There are rumors of instability at the top of the Chinese regime, with loyalists to Xi Jinping reportedly disappearing or even being executed, suggesting a loss of influence.
• 🗓️ Clarity on Xi's future is anticipated after the Communist Party's fourth plenum next month and the APEC meeting in South Korea at the end of October.

The "Axis of Evil" and Geopolitical Alliances

• 🤝 The formation of an "axis of evil" between China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran is discussed, with leaders seemingly disregarding US sanctions and trade negotiations.
• 🗣️ President Trump has expressed frustration with India and Russia for their growing ties with Beijing, particularly after a large Chinese military parade.
• 🚢 India's purchase of Russian oil, despite US tariffs, is a point of contention, with China reportedly increasing its own purchases of Russian oil while India scales back.

US Policy and Future Actions

• 🎯 Chang argues that President Trump "needs to do something about China really quick", especially concerning trade and alliances.
• ⚖️ The US tariff of 25% on Indian oil imports is debated, with Chang agreeing it was justified but noting it was unfair that China, a larger buyer of Russian oil, did not face the same tariff.
• 📢 Chang believes India's decision to skip China's military parade, despite attending the SCO meeting, was a message against joining an anti-Western bloc.