Sharp China with Bill Bishop

US and China engage in trade talks in Switzerland, with experts urging caution on expectations. Concerns rise over the opacity of Chinese economic data, highlighting the challenges posed by missing statistics. Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow sparks analysis of China's strategic ties with Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. Meanwhile, the CIA's unusual recruitment approach, using Mandarin-language videos, raises eyebrows on Chinese social media, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions.

Get all episodes of Sharp China, Sharp Tech, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, Asianometry and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year. Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism On today’s show Andrew and Bill take stock of the trade war one month after “Liberation Day.” Topics include: Domestic messaging on “struggle” and external promises to never kneel down, the risks facing the PRC as US tariffs threaten to compound overcapacity controversies and invite heightened scrutiny around the world, Week 3 of speculation on whether the US and China are negotiating on trade, and why talk of a resolution and return to the March status quo seems increasingly unrealistic. At the end: The April Politburo meeting reflects both caution and confidence, a study session on AI spells bad news for Nvidia, thoughts on Apple’s story in China as the company tries to relocate US iPhone assembly to India, and Netflix gets the last laugh 15 years after being rebuffed by PRC censors. To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm @SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube @Stratechery Channel — YouTube Xi inspects Shanghai, talks AI and Global South; "不跪/Never kneel down"; AI; Jack Ma and Huang Youlong — Sinocism April Politburo Study Session on AI is bad news for Nvidia — Sinocism Today, it is necessary to revisit On Protracted War. — Beijing Daily Never Kneel Down — Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X China exempts some goods from US tariffs — Reuters US tariffs could endanger 16 million export jobs in China: Goldman Sachs — SCMP Emerging markets set to become battlegrounds in trade war — Financial Times Trump says Xi called him, lays out trade and other deal plans in Time interview — Reuters Exclusive: Trump officials eye changes to Biden's AI chip export rule, sources say — Reuters Apple aims to source all US iPhones from India in pivot away from China — Financial Times Apple’s India Manufacturing Push Faces Spoilers, Including China — The Information Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company — Patrick McGee Netflix Co-CEO Says They’re Not in China Because ‘Not a Single Episode’ Cleared the Censorship Board — IndieWire

Get all episodes of Sharp China, Sharp Tech, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, Asianometry and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year. Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with Tuesday’s signals that the Trump administration may seek to deescalate its trade war, why Beijing may see it as confirmation that their patient approach is working, and questions about what’s next as the Trump messaging on trade changes by the day. From there: The PRC warns countries about cooperating with the US, and why the apparent US flip-flopping likely hurts their cause with third-party countries. At the end: A dispatch from Yiwu, more on PRC messages to third-party countries, and a listener’s note on Trump’s caustic approach to Canada. To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm @SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube @Stratechery Channel — YouTube Appeasement of the US is not an option; Wang Yi on Xi's trip; Private economy law; More pilots for service sector opening — Sinocism Bessent Expects Tariff Standoff With China to De-Escalate — Bloomberg US markets rally as Treasury secretary says China trade war is ‘unsustainable’ — Financial Times China warns countries against striking trade deals with US at its expense — Reuters China urges Japan to help fight US tariffs together, Kyodo reports — Reuters Wang Yi urges stronger China-Austria ties, slams U.S. tariffs — CGTN Wang Yi holds phone call with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, stressing shared responsibility to uphold multilateral trade system — Global Times ‘You Think We’re Afraid of America?’ — The Atlantic 3 takeaways from my visit to Yiwu, the frontlines of the trade war — Chang Che Blame Canada - South Park — YouTube

The discussion dives into the evolving trade war between the U.S. and China, examining the new 145% tariffs on Chinese goods. The U.S. restricts Nvidia from exporting H20 chips, raising questions about future tech relations. Jensen Huang's strategic visit to Beijing highlights tensions in the tech sector. Restrictions on rare earth exports from China reveal deeper supply chain anxieties. As TikTok faces uncertainty amidst these tariffs, the geopolitical landscape surrounding tech continues to shift dramatically.

The podcast dives into the escalating U.S.-China trade war, highlighting staggering tariffs and China's potential responses. It explores the impact on major companies like Apple and the intricacies of international relations. Additionally, discussions touch on the EU's opportunities following a significant call between leaders, the political ramifications of TikTok negotiations during the Trump administration, and an investigation into a prominent Chinese official's son. The episode wraps up with a blend of serious analysis and light-hearted anecdotes.

Get all episodes of Sharp China, Sharp Tech, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, Asianometry and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year. Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with the China Development Forum, including China's messaging to foreign investors, revisiting the Mintz raids as five detained employees are finally released, no updates on a Xi-Trump meeting, and news in the EV space. From there: The US plans to revive shipbuilding capacity, the likely disruption if the US adopts the USTR recommendations to counter Chinese dominance, Michael Froman writes that China has remade the international system, and a few more thoughts on the CK Hutchison deal. At the end: Rumors swirl around He Weidong and others in the PLA, what the noise might signal, and news of a deep-sea cable cutter is accompanied by a reminder that China constructs and protects deep sea cable like no other. To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm @SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube @Stratechery Channel — YouTube US closes some tech export control loopholes; Support for private business; DeepSeek — Sinocism China Development Forum; Xi Economic Thought; WTO compliance; Wang Yi in Tokyo — Sinocism China releases employees of US firm as Xi Jinping courts global CEOs — Financial Times AUDI, Not Audi: A New EV Sub-Brand Prepares for Launch — Auto Blog Tesla warns Trump administration it is ‘exposed’ to retaliatory tariffs — Financial Times Why ships are the new chips — Financial Times How Foreign Companies Are Funding China’s Dual-Use Shipyards — Wall Street Journal China Has Already Remade the International System — Foreign Affairs China's Undeclared Arctic Foreign Policy — Wilson Center Devil in the details of the Hutchison-BlackRock Panama ports deal — SCMP Senior Chinese general disappears in latest high-level political purge — Washington Times China unveils a powerful deep-sea cable cutter that could reset the world order — SCMP Commentary: China constructs, protects submarine cable system in inclusive internet quest — Xinhua

Tensions soar as Taiwan's President labels the PRC a 'foreign hostile force,' prompting potential responses from Beijing. Xi Jinping's displeasure over a Panama ports deal sparks concerns regarding Chinese foreign investment reactions. Meanwhile, TikTok navigates its U.S. operations amid escalating security talks and Oracle's push for Project Texas 2.0. The implications of these geopolitical moves reflect deeper complexities in U.S.-China relations, with Trump’s comments about Xi's visits adding further intrigue to the unfolding drama.

Get all episodes of Sharp China, Sharp Tech, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, Asianometry and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year. Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with takeaways from the Two Sessions, including good news for tech companies as the push for new quality productive forces continues, the rhetoric surrounding domestic consumption alongside modest stimulus measures so far, the NDRC's plan to mobilize 1 billion yuan to support the startup ecosystem, and more. From there: The PRC announces new tariffs on Canadian exports and state TV warns against Canada cooperating with the U.S. on tariffs, and dueling reports on a potential Trump-Xi meeting as communication remains frustrated between high level US and China leaders. At the end: Cuts to USAID provide a win to the PRC as China-watching NGOs go offline, a whistleblower highlights Facebook’s failed attempts to enter China, and TikTok rumors continue to churn as the apparent deadline for a sale approaches in April. To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm @SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube @Stratechery Channel — YouTube NPC concludes without Zhao Leji; Dalai Lama; Robots and embodied AI; US-China — Sinocism Two Sessions; Xi's PLA/PAP meeting; Wang Yi's presser; Trump-Xi meeting chatter — Sinocism Government work report; NDRC national economic and social development plan; Xi meets with his fellow Jiangsu delegates — Sinocism What Slowdown? Xi Says China Must Win the Global Tech Race. — NYT Trump’s Tariffs Push Xi to Overhaul China’s Ailing Growth Model — Bloomberg China’s consumer prices fall for first time in more than a year — FT China to set up national venture capital guidance fund, state planner says — Reuters China Hits Canada With Tariffs in Indirect Riposte to Trump — NYT U.S., China Discuss a Trump-Xi Summit for June — WSJ Exclusive | Trump may meet Xi in China as soon as April despite escalating trade war, insiders say — SCMP US-China Tariff Talks Stuck at Lower Levels, Stoking Frustration — Bloomberg U.S. Foreign-Aid Halt Is Making Scrutiny of China Even Harder — WSJ Rumormonger Australian 'think tank' ASPI suspends bogus 'research' on China as US funding cuts bite — People's Daily Online Zuckerberg’s Meta considered sharing user data with China, whistleblower alleges — Washington Post Trump Says Four Bidders in Play for TikTok Deal ‘Soon’ — Bloomberg TikTok hasn't negotiated with prospective buyers as deadline looms — Axios

Get all episodes of Sharp China, Sharp Tech, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, Asianometry and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year. Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with Trump raising tariffs on the PRC by 10%, the PRC's response, and the phone call Xi-Trump phone call that was rumored a month ago but still hasn't happened. Then: What to watch for during Two Sessions week, Xi has always supported private enterprises, a response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on fentanyl, and why the U.S. focusing on domestic enforcement only goes far. From there: A roundup of news on chips, including an investigation in Singapore, TSMC's investment in the United States, a Wall Street Journal report on Nvidia, and questions facing the Trump team as new policy takes shape. At the end: The New York Times reports on "plea leniency," FIFA won't play ball with the PRC, and a variety of Moutai thoughts as Kweichow Moutai struggles to find demand. To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm @SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube @Stratechery Channel — YouTube US Tariffs; Two Sessions; Xi has always supported private enterprises; Peaceful China Initiative; Chips — Sinocism Response to US tariffs; Two Sessions begin; DeepSeek — Sinocism FURTHER AMENDMENT TO DUTIES ADDRESSING THE SYNTHETIC OPIOID SUPPLY CHAIN IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA — The White House Xi Leaves Door Open for Talks With Measured Response to Trump — Bloomberg Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — MoFA on Twitter BlackRock to buy Panama Canal ports after pressure from Donald Trump — Financial Times Canadian Police Say They Dismantled Country’s Largest Drug Lab — New York Times How Dirty Money From Fentanyl Sales Is Flowing Through China — Wall Street Journal Chinese Buyers Are Ordering Nvidia’s Newest AI Chips, Defying U.S. Curbs — Wall Street Journal Singapore Probes Potential Fraud in Nvidia AI Chip Shipments — Bloomberg Cover Story: DeepSeek Sets Up Race for Chinese Dominance in AI — Caixin Trump, Chip Maker TSMC Announce $100 Billion Investment in U.S. — Wall Street Journal The ‘Leniency’ Trap: How China’s Plea System Gives Prosecutors More Power — New York Times China’s tech minister removed from office — Financial Times Ebbing demand for China's favourite firewater adds to debt concerns — Reuters The Patrón of Xinghuacun - a modest proposal for Fenjiu — Moatless Musings Xi Jiu, A Baijiu Bet on Xi Jinping — Sinocism

Get all episodes of Sharp China, Sharp Tech, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, Asianometry and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year. Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm @SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube @Stratechery Channel — YouTube Document #1; Xi-Putin call; US trade and investment pressure on the PRC; AI development — Sinocism Trump's recent hawkish moves on China policies and personnel — Sinocism America First Investment Policy — The White House China hawk picked for key US Commerce Dept job — Reuters Trump administration pushes out top China export policy official, sources say — Reuters Trump Team Seeking to Toughen Biden’s Chip Controls Over China — Bloomberg AI Promise and Chip Precariousness — Stratechery As Trump Courts Putin, China’s Leader Xi Emphasizes Close Ties With Russia — New York Times Putin, Xi Reaffirm Ties on Anniversary of Ukraine War — Wall Street Journal Taiwan detains Chinese-crewed ship suspected of cutting undersea cable — CNN NZ defence minister warns of 'extremely capable' Chinese warships in Tasman Sea — ABC Trump Team Seeks to Toughen Biden’s Chip Controls Over China — Bloomberg Chinese Companies’ New Tactic to Stop Damaging Research: Legal Threats — New York Times A newly opened basketball court in Beijing, transformed from the former cooling towers of Capital Steel and Iron Company. — China in Pictures on X