New Books in World Affairs China’s Trade War Strategy: How Xi Jinping Uses Autocracy, Fear, and Innovation to Compete with the West
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Apr 18, 2025 
David Rennie, geopolitics editor at The Economist, shares insights on how Xi Jinping is using autocracy and innovation in China’s trade war strategy against the West. He discusses the implications of economic pain and control over freedom on global partnerships. Activist Chloe Chung reveals her own harrowing experience with Chinese authorities, detailing the bounty on her head as a pro-democracy campaigner. Their dialogue highlights the broader struggle between authoritarianism and democracy in shaping the future global order.
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China Defies Democracy Assumptions
- China disproves the notion that economic development naturally leads to democracy.
- It shows a successful authoritarian economy can last decades without political liberalization.
China's Resilience and Leverage in Trade War
- China has prepared to endure and inflict economic pain in the trade war with the US.
- It controls critical minerals and technologies to leverage global influence.
China's Surging AI Innovation
- China's AI breakthroughs show autocracy can innovate at a high level.
- Attempts to restrict China's tech growth from the US have failed recently.