The Daily A Vulnerable China Comes to the Table
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May 12, 2025 
Keith Bradsher, the Beijing bureau chief for The New York Times, delves into the complexities of U.S.-China trade negotiations amidst escalating tensions. He highlights the pressures on China as it battles a housing market crisis and attempts to shift its economy toward domestic consumption. The discussion reveals how tariffs are straining China's economic stability and the government’s struggle to boost consumer demand. Bradsher also emphasizes the essential role of independent journalism in navigating these turbulent times.
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China's Export-Dependent Economy
- China's economy relies heavily on exports due to weak domestic consumption.
- High consumer taxes and a minimal social safety net discourage Chinese people from spending.
Housing Bubble Speculative Bet
- A sales manager with a modest salary ended up buying five apartments by selling and buying in a rising market.
- She believed apartment prices would always increase, illustrating a speculative housing bubble.
Housing Crash Devastates Families
- China's housing bubble burst starting 2020, causing massive losses for families.
- Apartment prices dropped faster than during the 2008 U.S. housing crisis, devastating household wealth.