Jacobin Radio Behind the News: Is Trump De-Escalating With China? w/ Jake Werner
Oct 15, 2025
Jake Werner, Director of the East Asia program at the Quincy Institute, discusses Trump's unexpected softening stance on China and challenges the prevailing hawkish U.S. foreign policy. He highlights internal divisions within Trump's coalition regarding China and examines China's aspirations on the global stage. Jeet Heer, National correspondent for The Nation, takes a deep dive into William F. Buckley’s legacy, exploring his controversial ties to the American right and the implications of his fusionist politics. Together, they shed light on complex issues reshaping U.S. politics and foreign policy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Trump Coalition Is Factional On China
- The Trump coalition contains nationalist civilizationalists and profit-driven tech oligarchs.
- These factions collide over tactics toward China, producing internal tension.
China's Tech Leap Woke Elites
- Many US elites underestimated China's technological rise, but awareness is increasing post-COVID.
- Key worries center on China entering high-value tech like EVs and batteries.
China Seeks Status, Not Global Domination
- China largely wants greater representation within existing global institutions, not to overthrow them.
- It prefers sovereignty-based UN frameworks and resists interventions that threaten regime stability.
