On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with a mounting scandal in the UK after prosecutors dropped charges against two men accused of spying for China. Topics include: Fingers pointed and claims that PM Keir Starmer and his Labour appointees were unwilling to present evidence of China as an "enemy,” ongoing reluctance to target PRC foreign agents under a new UK enforcement scheme, and reports of Beijing's latest play to move forward with its "mega embassy." From there: The EU Commission proposes tariff hikes to shield its steel industry from PRC overcapacity, why talk of a trillion dollar resolution to the US-China trade war is probably overblown, and a soybean bailout prompts questions about U.S. agriculture priorities generally. At the end: Reports of a "China-linked plot" to throttle communications in New York City, and the NBA's reunion with Chinese basketball fans continues in Macao and San Antonio.

Get all episodes of Sharp China, Sharp Tech, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, Asianometry and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year.

Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm

@SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube

@Stratechery Channel — YouTube

Labour secretly sabotaged China spy trial — The Telegraph

China’s fifth-ranking official was suspect in dropped Westminster spy case — The Guardian

UK government undermined China spying probe to protect Beijing ties, say officials — Financial Times

China threatened to retaliate against UK over foreign influence rules — The Guardian

Water torture... China turns off the taps for British diplomats after row over 'mega-embassy' in London — Daily Mail

Eyeing China, EU unveils sweeping measures to shield its struggling steel industry — South China Morning Post

China Urges Trump to Lift Security Curbs in Push for Deals — Bloomberg

Trump bailout for trade-hit US farmers expected this week — Reuters

Thwarted plot to cripple cell service in NY was bigger than first thought: Sources — ABC News

NBA basketball was huge in China. The league is hoping for a rebound. — Washington Post

Summer Camp Sign Up: Camp Lutherhaven