Latest Interviews
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Clear all filters- The Economist10 min
What can Donald Trump get from Xi Jinping? | The Economist
Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Jeremy Page, John Prideaux, James Bennet
Donald Trump's administration faces a complex landscape in US-China relations where both nations share AI safety concerns regarding nuclear weapons and cyber fraud despite deep trust deficits and divergent strategic priorities. Simultaneously, geopolitical tensions over Taiwan persist as President Xi Jinping demands extreme caution regarding arms sales following record-breaking approvals, while direct negotiations between the two leaders challenge previous diplomatic assurances. Economic negotiations may pivot toward establishing a Trade Board to resolve export overcapacity, with Beijing likely to authorize purchases of American soybeans and beef only in exchange for tangible reductions in US trade restrictions.
- The Economist7 min
What's China really up to in the Arctic? | The Economist
China aims to establish itself as a "polar great power" by 2030 through its "Polar Silk Road" initiative, which seeks to leverage the retreating Arctic ice to secure economic advantages via the Northern Sea Route and access natural resources. While Beijing has deepened cooperation with Russia and attempted infrastructure projects in Greenland and Nordic countries, these efforts face mounting resistance from NATO members who suspect military-civil fusion and demand prioritized security over scientific engagement. The inclusion of Sweden and Finland into the alliance has further complicated China's strategic goals by shifting the regional balance toward defense, thereby hindering Beijing's ambitions to expand its footprint in the Arctic.
- The Economist9 min
How Trump’s Venezuela raid is helping China's Taiwan battle plans
Following a U.S. strike on Venezuela, Chinese military leadership is analyzing the operation to refine "decapitation" capabilities against Taiwan's leadership, a strategy intensified by lessons from Russia's Ukraine campaign. Although Beijing has expanded a mock-up of Taiwan's government complex in northern China and conducted massive "Justice Mission 2025" drills to simulate precise sanctions, the PLA acknowledges current gaps in joint operational integration required for such complex attacks. This strategic evaluation aims to prepare for a full capability target date of 2027 while assessing whether the U.S. raid might distract American focus from containing Beijing's long-term ambitions.