Battle Lines Trump edition: Blowing up the global economy to take on China
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Apr 11, 2025 Sophia Yan, a senior foreign correspondent for The Telegraph with deep insights into China's political landscape, joins Kelly Ann Shaw, a former senior trade advisor to President Trump. They discuss the ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions and the evolution of Trump's trade war. Yan provides on-the-ground perspectives from her time in Beijing, while Shaw explains the strategic decisions made during Trump's presidency. They address whether Xi Jinping is open to negotiations amidst escalating economic stakes and the broader implications for global trade.
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Previous Trade War Experience
- Sophia Yan lived in China during the last trade war under Trump's first term.
- She recalls it starting piecemeal, targeting specific goods, unlike the current swift escalation.
China's Reaction
- China's reaction to the tariffs is a mix of trolling and genuine worldview.
- They aim to project strength domestically and internationally, positioning themselves as champions of free trade.
Xi Jinping's Stance
- Xi Jinping likely isn't interested in a grand bargain with Trump.
- This situation allows him to appear strong domestically, and China believes the US relies on them too heavily to sustain the confrontation.