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Macro Hive Conversations With Bilal Hafeez

Ep. 255: Chris Johnson on Trump vs China

Feb 14, 2025
Chris Johnson, President and CEO of China Strategies Group and former CIA analyst, shares his insights on the evolving dynamics of U.S.-China relations. He discusses how Trump's trade policies contrasted with Biden's approach, including critiques of China's economic coercion strategies. Johnson also highlights internal challenges Xi Jinping faces, such as public discontent. Additionally, he explores China's DeepSeek AI advancements and their implications on global tech, emphasizing how these shifts influence geopolitical strategies and economic engagements, particularly in the Middle East.
57:22

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Chris Johnson reflects on his unexpected journey into intelligence and Chinese politics through a serendipitous encounter at a career fair.
  • The podcast explores how U.S. policy towards China evolved from Obama's 'Asia pivot' to the adversarial stance seen under Trump and Biden.

Deep dives

Career Path and Early Interests

Chris Johnson's academic journey began with a focus on history and political science, a choice that seemed to suggest a career in law. However, after reconsidering his options, he decided to pursue graduate studies in security policy at George Washington University, aiming for a role in the intelligence and national security sector. A chance encounter at a career fair led him to apply for a position at the CIA, where he unexpectedly found himself drawn to the study of China, an area that was not widely explored at the time. Johnson's serendipitous entry into the field ultimately ignited a passion for Chinese politics and international relations that has defined his career.

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