Sharp China with Bill Bishop (Preview) What’s at Stake for China in Iran; Canada’s PM in Beijing; Notes on Chips, Apps, and Drones
5 snips
Jan 15, 2026 The podcast dives into the instability in Iran and the implications of Trump's tariff threats on trade relations with China. Discussions include how these tariffs could impact China's oil access and investments. The conversation shifts to Canada's Prime Minister visiting Beijing, seeking new export markets. Additionally, the popularity of the 'Are You Dead?' app and updates on Chinese drone policies add to the intrigue, highlighting the ever-evolving landscape of US-China relations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Tariff Threat Could Undermine Trade Truce
- Trump's 25% tariff threat on countries trading with Iran risks undoing the fragile US-China trade truce agreed in Busan.
- Bill Bishop argues it's unlikely the administration will stack that tariff on top of existing China tariffs because they want to preserve the deal and avoid upsetting China.
Policy By Social Post Lacks Coherence
- The announcement likely bypassed interagency review and reflects governing by social posts rather than coherent policy.
- Bill Bishop notes this ad-hoc style makes it unclear whether the tariffs would even be implemented or applied to China.
Avoiding Direct Confrontation With China
- The Trump administration appears cautious about provoking China to protect the Busan understanding and a possible April Beijing visit.
- Bill Bishop says that adding 25% on China now would very likely scuttle the understanding reached with Xi Jinping.