
Sharp China with Bill Bishop
Understanding China and how China impacts the world. Hosted by Andrew Sharp and Bill Bishop.
Latest episodes

Jun 25, 2025 • 8min
(Preview) The PRC and the Past Two Weeks in Iran; Ten Speeches in Taiwan; London Framework Faltering?; All Eyes on the EU
The discussion begins by examining China's cautious stance on the recent attacks in Iran and concerns over regional stability. President Lai's speeches on Taiwan provoke a stern response from the PRC, hinting at a tumultuous summer ahead. The faltering London agreement between the U.S. and China is scrutinized as tensions rise. Meanwhile, EU leaders are taking a hard line, especially with the upcoming summit looming. The segment wraps up by highlighting ongoing legislative issues surrounding TikTok and a revived focus on PRC controversies.

Jun 17, 2025 • 14min
(Preview) A US-China Trade Framework and Continuing Rare Earth Fun; The PRC and the War in Iran; Challenges in China's Car Industry?
Dive into the turbulent waters of US-China trade relations as negotiations unfold, revealing rare earth leverage and pressures on both sides. Explore China's delicate stance on the Israel-Iran conflict, and how its internal strategies are influenced by these global tensions. Plus, uncover the struggles facing China's auto industry amidst political maneuvers and rumors. Get ready for a whirlwind of geopolitical insights and economic strategies in a rapidly changing landscape.

Jun 11, 2025 • 12min
(Preview) US-China Meetings and De-Escalation; Chokepoint Clarity; Embassies in London and Spies in Russia; Xi's Latest Curbs on Party Boozing
Tensions between the U.S. and China are on the table as both nations seek to de-escalate following recent meetings. The discussions reveal the U.S.'s concerns regarding China’s rare earth leverage and potential easing of tech export controls. A surprising connection emerges with espionage fears tied to a Chinese embassy in the UK. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping's efforts to curb party excesses make headlines, and a notable visit by Victor Wembanyama to a Shaolin Monastery adds an unexpected twist to the conversation.

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 1min
The Trade War Becomes a Supply Chain War; A Global Rare Earth Emergency; Xu Qiliang and the Xi Rumor Mill
Tensions rise as the U.S. grapples with China's rare earth export restrictions and the implications for global industries. The discussion delves into America's reliance on these critical minerals, highlighting urgent calls for alternative sources. A focus on chip controls reveals the challenges in securing semiconductor supply chains, all while U.S.-China negotiations hang in the balance. Additionally, price wars in the electric vehicle sector signal deeper automotive industry issues, with major implications for market dynamics.

6 snips
May 29, 2025 • 10min
(Preview) Made in China 2025 and What Comes Next; EV Price Wars; The EU and Its China Dilemmas; Xi and His Rivals
The discussion kicks off with the ambitious Made in China 2025 strategy and its implications for the future. Electric vehicle competition heats up, hinting at a fierce market battle ahead. The EU's plans to collaborate with the US on China policies are unveiled, revealing the challenges of forming a unified front. Meanwhile, espionage warnings from the MSS and hacking accusations against Czechia add tension. The dynamics of factional politics within the Chinese Communist Party also come into focus, hinting at possible rivalries and challenges faced by Xi Jinping.

May 21, 2025 • 10min
(Preview) Chips and the Geneva Consensus; US Policy and the Chinese Century; Controversy Over Solar Power Inverters
The discussion highlights the U.S. export controls on AI chips, particularly affecting Huawei's Ascend chips. Tensions rise as policymakers debate the Geneva Consensus on chip regulation. There's also a focus on U.S.-China dynamics, with plans for collaboration in AI investments with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Voices in China advocate for technological self-reliance, while rogue devices in solar inverters stir controversy. The overall narrative explores the strategic challenges and responses shaping the future of tech diplomacy.

May 13, 2025 • 10min
(Preview) A 90-Day Pause, Big Tariff Reductions and What De-Escalation Might Mean for the U.S. and China
A surprising 90-day tariff reduction between the U.S. and China is making waves in trade discussions. The new dialogue mechanism aims to tackle critical economic issues and foster communication. Insights reveal the perceived advantages for China amid this pause. The complexities of trade tensions are unpacked, highlighting historical contexts and strategic considerations. Key players' roles in upcoming negotiations are also examined, alongside the overarching implications for global markets.

27 snips
May 8, 2025 • 1h 1min
Trade Talks in Switzerland; Continuing Data Opacity Concerns; Xi Heads to Moscow; The CIA Takes to YouTube
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.

6 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 13min
(Preview) ‘Protracted War’ and ‘Struggle’; The Looming Risks for the PRC; A Politburo Study Session on AI; Apple’s Attempt to Pivot
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

Apr 23, 2025 • 13min
(Preview) Bessent and an ‘Unsustainable’ Path; Making Sense of Hourly Madness; The PRC’s Message to the World; A Note on Canada
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