News that caught our eye / The week ending March 7, 2025
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NOTE: The news reports below are not in chronological order. There is often a time lag in their reaching the US and in gaining our attention. These reports reflect the opinions of a variety of news sources.
Curated by James Getka.
Concern grows in Washington, Seoul about China's disinformation campaign / February 28, 2025
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has been facing impeachment charges since December, and if the court rules against him, South Korea will have sixty days to elect a new President. Many are concerned that China has infiltrated social media in the republic, creating conflict and promoting the pro-China Democratic Party candidate (VOA).
Anti-corruption purges raise serious questions about China’s military readiness / March 1, 2025
President Xi’s continuing purge of the People’s Liberation Army hit another casualty in February as Tan Ruisong, former chairman of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, was removed from his position on corruption charges. Analysts say the purges that have removed over a dozen officials over the last two years have more to do with suspected disloyalty to Xi rather than bribery or fraud. Such purges lower morale in the PLA (VOA).
Troops, Cartels, and China: What Mexico Is Doing to Stave Off Tariffs / March 2, 2025
While the Trump Administration continues to pressure Mexico to toughen up on illegal migration and drug trafficking across the US-Mexico border, Mexican President Scheinbaum has been actively working to do as Trump demands, stationing National Guard troops on Mexico’s northern border, targeting the cartels with arrests and sending some to the US for prosecution, and placing tariffs on Chinese imports (The New York Times).
Trade tensions heat up as China and Canada retaliate against U.S. tariffs / March 3, 2025
Both China and Canada vowed to retaliate against the Trump administration’s application of tariffs on imports from both countries with tariffs of their own on US imports. President Trump has said his tariffs have been placed to balance trade between the US’s three largest trade partners and to stem the flow of drugs, especially fentanyl, into the US (NBC News).
Chinese companies relocate to Cambodia's "Special Economic Zone" to avoid tariffs / March 3, 2025
As President Trump attempts to coax manufacturers to move their factories to the US to avoid tariffs, Chinese companies are moving to a “special economic zone” in Cambodia for the same reason. Cambodia has not yet been pulled into the trade war, so Chinese companies are moving there quickly. Cambodian trade with the US increased from $3 billion—prior to 2024—to $13 billion in 2024 (CBS News).
Falling prices signal bigger troubles ahead for China’s economy / March 4, 2025
Deflation in China intensified in the last quarter of 2024 as China’s citizens continue to deal with falling prices, an uncertain future, high youth unemployment, and plummeting housing values. The tariff war may make things even worse. Some economists say government vouchers for citizens should boost consumer demand (AP News).
China retaliates against US tariffs - but it also wants to talk / March 3, 2025
China’s response to the latest tariff increases by the US has not been as aggressive as their response to Trump’s first-term tariff barrage, possibly signaling that they want to work out a deal with Trump. Meanwhile, they will likely take advantage of Trump’s bullish behavior, inviting other nations to partner with China instead (BBC).
China targets 5% growth as it reels from Trump tariffs / March 5, 2025
As the National People’s Congress began meeting this week, one of its first announcements was a 5% goal for China’s economic growth target. But President Trump’s 10% tariff hike also went into effect this week, setting up a challenge to that growth target by potentially shrinking Chinese exports (BBC).
Tesla China shipments tumble, the latest sign of weakening demand / March 4, 2025
Tesla’s shipments of autos from China fell almost 50% in February compared to a year ago, while other domestic Chinese automakers saw increases in their sales, strongly suggesting that Tesla is losing ground in its popularity in China. Chinese automakers can sell their EVs more cheaply (Yahoo Finance).
DeepSeek AI bot is part of China’s 'Unrestricted Warfare’ doctrine / March 2, 2025
“To win without fighting” has been a military strategy utilized by China for centuries. Employ activities to cause the enemy to either harm itself or neutralize its capability to defend itself. One journalist states that China’s DeepSeek AI program is part of this strategy, gathering personal information from its users, and allowing harmful media information through its safety buffers (Fox News).
"If War Is What the US Wants...": China's Sharp Retort to Trump's Tariff Charge / March 5, 2025
Responding to President Trump’s announcement of his tariff hike against China this week, the Chinese Embassy in the US declared that China is ready for any type of war the US wants. Trump says the tariffs are partly due to China’s lack of effort in curtailing its involvement in the fentanyl drug trade. China denies involvement but also says it has done what it can already (NDTV World).
China is working on a huge aircraft carrier that rivals the biggest in the U.S. fleet / March 2, 2025
Satellite images of the Dalian shipyard in northeastern China suggest that China is working on constructing an aircraft carrier that can launch jets from four catapults, matching the size and capabilities of the largest ships in the US fleet. The images show a prototype module, indicating it may be a few years before a supercarrier could be built (NBC News).
CNA Explains: What China’s Two Sessions mean for the world / March 3, 2025
China’s Two Sessions—the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference—meet this week to approve the CCP’s agenda for the year and discuss national matters. In many ways, the conferences are almost a “who’s who” celebrity event as participants include CEOs of major companies and all-star athletes, among other ethnic representatives (CNA).
What to watch for at China's major political event this week / March 3, 2025
China’s National People’s Congress meets this week to rubberstamp the CCP’s plans for the year, including economic targets, China’s response to the Trump tariffs, foreign diplomacy, and domestic plans. Evidently, the economic focus will shift from increasing domestic demand to a geopolitical plan to increase industry and technological innovation (NBC News).
China's factory activity growth hits 3-month high in February / March 2, 2025
China’s factory activity increased to hit a 3-month high in February as millions of workers went back to the factories after the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, and as manufacturers tried to get ahead of increased tariff threats from the US. In spite of the small jump in manufacturing, the US-China trade war may push another economic slowdown (NBC 10).
US charges Chinese hackers and government officials in a broad cybercrime campaign / March 6, 2025
The US Justice Department announced that it has charged a dozen Chinese nationals with cybercrimes against a variety of individuals, companies, and governments, including the US. Most of those charged worked for a Chinese hacking company called I-Soon. While China’s economy struggles, it appears the cyber hacking industry is strong and healthy as hackers are paid generously by the Chinese government for information they find (AP News).