UnHerd with Freddie Sayers

Kyle Chan: Is this the ‘Chinese century’?

11 snips
Jun 4, 2025
Kyle Chan, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton specializing in Chinese industry, discusses the seismic shifts shaping U.S.-China relations. He explores China's rapid rise in tech sectors, particularly AI and electric vehicles, and military implications tied to manufacturing dominance. Chan questions whether U.S. policies might inadvertently foster a 'Chinese Century' and highlights the urgency for the U.S. to enhance its competitiveness and rethink supply chains to offset reliance on China. The future of U.S.-China relations is cautiously optimistic yet fraught with challenges.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

China's Manufacturing Dominance

  • China dominates global manufacturing, including steel, EVs, and batteries, with strategic industrial policies.
  • This dominance contrasts sharply with the US's relative decline in key industrial sectors.
INSIGHT

Automation Changes Manufacturing Jobs

  • Manufacturing jobs are not the same as manufacturing capabilities due to automation growth worldwide.
  • Both China and the US face rising automation, reducing job numbers despite production changes.
INSIGHT

China Leads EV Innovation and Risks

  • Chinese EV firms like BYD lead globally with advanced features and competitive pricing.
  • EVs are highly connected 'smartphones on wheels', raising legitimate security and control concerns.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app