09 Chx 03 -Wire

Trump Makes Deals with China, UK

pgnewser May 14, 2025

In a dramatic shift in the tariff war dynamic, two major deals were announced by Donald Trump, one with the UK and one with China, the latter being even more impactful on the tariff wars than the former.

The UK deal includes a 10% baseline tariff on most imported UK goods still in place but an elimination of UK Steel tariffs and a reduction on UK auto tariffs from 27.5% to 10%. In exchange, the UK will eliminate tariffs on U.S. ethanol and U.S. beef, as well as reductions and eliminations on “U.S. machinery, sports equipment, and other agricultural products.”

The China Trade deal will see China’s import tariff reduced from 145% to 30% for 90 days. In exchange, China will reduce U.S. import tariffs from 125% to 10% for 90 days as well. They will also remove all retaliatory tariffs for 90 days. The deal also included an informal agreement China will work on preventing fentanyl from reaching U.S. shores.

Trump: Trade deal with Beijing will open up Chinese market for US businesses – Apa.az
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Trump Uses “Reneged” Word to Describe China’s Breaking of Boeing Deal

pgnewser April 15, 2025

Trump says China ‘reneged’ on Boeing deal as tensions flare– www.channelnewsasia.com
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WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Apr 15) that China has gone back on a major Boeing deal, after a news report that Beijing ordered airlines not to take further deliveries of the US aviation giant’s jets.

Trump’s comments on social media followed a Bloomberg news report about the halt. The report also said that Beijing requested Chinese carriers to pause purchases of aircraft-related equipment and parts from US firms.

“Interestingly, they just reneged on the big Boeing deal, saying that they will ‘not take possession’ of fully committed to aircraft,” said Trump in a Truth Social post, referring to China as trade tensions flared between the world’s two biggest economies.

Canada says China executed an unspecified number of Canadians earlier this year– abcnews.go.com

pgnewser March 20, 2025

Canada says China executed an unspecified number of Canadians earlier this year– abcnews.go.com
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TORONTO — China executed an unspecified number of Canadians earlier this year, Canada’s government said Wednesday. Such executions of Westerners are relatively rare.

Canada’s Global Affairs office declined to say how many people or give names. Beijing’s embassy in Ottawa said the executions were due to drug crimes but declined to provide details. The embassy noted that China does not recognize dual citizenship.

“Canada repeatedly called for clemency for these individuals at the senior-most levels and remains steadfast in its opposition to the use of the death penalty in all cases, everywhere,” Global Affairs spokeswoman Charlotte MacLeod said in a statement.

MacLeod said they continue to provide consular assistance to families and requested that media respect their privacy. She said Ottawa continues to advocate for clemency for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian who was sentenced to death for drug smuggling.

U.S. reaffirms support for Taiwan on Anti-Secession Law anniversary – Focus Taiwan

pgnewser March 20, 2025

U.S. reaffirms support for Taiwan on Anti-Secession Law anniversary – Focus Taiwan
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The U.S. Department of State on Tuesday reiterated its long-standing commitment to deterring threats against Taiwan’s security in response to a recent symposium in Beijing marking the 20th anniversary of China’s Anti-Secession Law.

While Chinese officials reinforced their firm stance against Taiwanese independence at the symposium, a State Department spokesperson said that U.S. policy remains unchanged.

“We have a longstanding position on Taiwan that we’re not going to abandon, and that is: We are against any unilateral, forced, compelled, or coercive change in the status of Taiwan,” the spokesperson told CNA via email, citing recent remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

However, the spokesperson said the threat Taiwan faces from China has escalated, pointing out judicial guidelines Beijing issued last year that direct courts and law enforcement agencies to prosecute and punish so-called “Taiwan indep

China shipowners group says US port fee proposal breaks WTO rules, US law – India Shipping News

pgnewser March 18, 2025

China shipowners group says US port fee proposal breaks WTO rules, US law – Reuters
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The China Shipowners’ Association opposes a U.S. proposal to slap hefty port entry fees on ocean cargo carriers that own or have ordered vessels from China, saying it violates international rules and U.S. laws, according to a statement seen by Reuters on Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration aims to partially pay for an American shipbuilding comeback with those fees, according to a draft executive order seen by Reuters.

The CSA’s members include China’s COSCO Shipping, which is expected to be among the hardest hit by the fees proposed by the U.S. trade representative as part of that agency’s investigation into China’s growing domination of global shipping.

In a comment filed on the USTR site, CSA called the agency’s proposed actions discriminatory and said they violate World Trade Organization rules as well as WTO dispute settlement rulings.

The USTR’s move also violates the 2003 Sino-U.S. Maritime Agreement, CSA said, adding that it violates U.S. laws and rules.

China Setting up World Legal Case to Invade Taiwan

pgnewser March 11, 2025

China is asserting its “right” to assert Taiwan is already a part of the nation of China in what some believe is a precursor to a legal campaign to justify pre-emptively the invasion of Taiwan. Taiwan’s current President, William Lai, fired back, saying “The People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan.”

Directly after this exchange, China warned Britian that is actions in the South China Sea were potentially “provoking tensions” after UK foreign minister David Lammy called China’s own South China sea actions “dangerous and destabilizing.”

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory despite the objection of the government in Taipei.– Philippine Star
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China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory despite the objection of the government in Taipei. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

Last week, on the sidelines of China’s annual meeting of parliament, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters that Taiwan would never be a “country”, and to support “Taiwan independence” was to interfere in China’s internal affairs.

China is “willing to do our utmost to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity,” said Mao Ning, spokesperson at the foreign ministry, when asked about Wang’s remarks on Taiwan.

“At the same time, China will take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolutely oppose Taiwan independence and external interference,” Mao said…

“The Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests and the first insurmountable red line in Sino-US relations,” she warned. | via Reuters

Taiwan’s president flexes independence in National Day speech – MSN
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Taiwanese President William Lai on Thursday took a shot at mainland China’s claims of sovereignty over self-governing Taiwan, saying, “The People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan.” The remarks, delivered in a closely watched speech marking the 113th anniversary of the revolution that founded the Republic of China (Taiwan’s formal name), won’t sit well with Beijing.

The People’s Republic of China maintains the so-called “One China” policy and sees democratic Taiwan as a rebellious province that will eventually be reunified with the mainland. The only question, from Beijing’s perspective, is whether that happens militarily or politically, and rhetoric like Lai’s seems to make the window for a peaceful resolution even smaller.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has reportedly ordered his military to be prepared to retake Taiwan by 2027, although that doesn’t mean he will actually attack that year. Some members of Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang Party, including former President Ma Ying-jeou, worry that Lai is endangering Taiwan by antagonizing China.

In response to Lai’s speech, Taiwanese officials expect China to conduct military drills around the island — a demonstration large enough to show Beijing’s displeasure with Lai’s statements. However, China’s economic malaise is occupying much of the leadership’s focus, and the odds of seeing more provocative military measures are low.

Exposing China’s Legal Preparations for a Taiwan Invasion– warontherocks.com
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China is systematically building a legal framework for a potential invasion of Taiwan. How can Taiwan’s friends, partners, and allies push back?

We come together as a unique writing team: military lawyers from the U.S. and Taiwanese armed forces. We seek here to explore China’s ongoing legal preparations for the use of force against Taiwan and uncover likely legal maneuvers Beijing will employ in the lead-up to an invasion. On that basis, we outline key steps for Taiwan’s international supporters to strengthen deterrence, including dismantling China’s legal pretext for aggression and implementing coordinated counter-lawfare strategies to challenge Beijing’s lawfare campaign.

Why Does a Legal Framework for War Matter?

Legal frameworks shape the way conflicts are justified, perceived, and responded to — both domestically and internationally. By crafting a legal basis for war, China is not only preparing its domestic landscape for a Taiwan invasion but also seeking to influence global narratives, erode Taiwan’s international support, and reduce the likelihood of foreign intervention.

Beijing understands that modern warfare extends to the legal domain, where the struggle for perceived legitimacy is paramount. By embedding this mindset into its military strategy, China aims to frame an invasion as a lawful internal matter, fostering diplomatic ambiguity that could deter international opposition and delay collective security responses. This is particularly critical in an era where legitimacy plays a central role in shaping geopolitical alignments and the willingness of nations to take decisive action. Through legal instruments like the Anti-Secession Law, Beijing is setting conditions for the use of force by normalizing its legal claims, asserting jurisdictional control, and criminalizing resistance. This incremental approach to lawfare seeks to shift the strategic environment in China’s favor before conflict, making an eventual invasion seem like a reasonable and legally justified course of action.

Beijing warns UK against ‘provoking tensions’ over South China Sea– www.channelnewsasia.com
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BEIJING: China warned Britain on Tuesday (Mar 11) against “provoking tensions” in the South China Sea after its foreign minister David Lammy called Beijing’s actions in the disputed waters “dangerous and destabilising”.

In a video partly filmed alongside a vessel belonging to the Philippine Coast Guard, Lammy on Monday condemned “dangerous and destabilising activities” by Beijing in the South China Sea.

China claims the strategically important waterway in nearly its entirety, despite an international ruling that its claims have no legal basis.

Asked about Lammy’s comments, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said “the UK should respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea and refrain from provoking tensions or sowing discord over regional disputes”.

“The South China Sea is currently one of the safest and freest maritime routes in the world,” Mao said.

Beijing has deployed navy and coast guard vessels in a bid to bar Manila from crucial reefs and islands in the South China Sea, leading to a string of confrontations in recent months.

In a Saturday meeting with his Filipino counterpart Enrique Manalo, Britain and the Philippines signed a joint framework to boost defence and maritime cooperation.

The Philippines has similar agreements with the United States, Australia and Japan.

Will Trump Move Against China’s Rare Earth Mineral Dominance?

pgnewser March 11, 2025

President Donald Trump is set to be ready to issue an executive order that would dramatically accelerate the American plan to turn to its own resources to ween itself off of dependence on China for its rare earth mineral supplier. Last week he told congress how would “take historic action to dramatically expand production of critical minerals and rare earths here in the USA.”

REPORT: President Trump’s Plan to Counter China’s Control Of Important Minerals– wltreport.com
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President Trump has a plan to challenge China’s chokehold on critical minerals.

As it stands, the U.S. relies on minerals from China to build military weaponry, including fighter jets and submarines.

That doesn’t seem very smart, does it?

That’s why President Trump is taking action to eliminate our nation’s reliance on China for such important minerals.

According to a new report from Reuters, President Trump will sign an executive order that will boost domestic processing of minerals by building metal refineries on U.S. military bases.

In addition, he plans to name a critical minerals czar to oversee the new initiative.

He could sign the executive order as soon as Wednesday.

Here are the details:

Reuters has the exclusive scoop:

U.S. President Donald Trump aims to build metals refining facilities on Pentagon military bases as part of his plan to boost domestic production of critical minerals and offset China’s control of the sector, two senior administration officials told Reuters.

The move is one of several planned for an executive order Trump could sign as soon as Wednesday after he told the U.S. Congress last week he would “take historic action to dramatically expand production of critical minerals and rare earths here in the USA.”

As part of the order, the Pentagon would work with other federal agencies to install processing facilities on its bases, according to the sources, who were not authorized to publicly discuss the administration’s deliberations.

Using military bases for processing would underscore the importance Trump is placing on critical minerals for national security. Fighter jets, submarines, bullets and other weaponry used by the U.S. military are built with minerals processed by Beijing.

Trump also plans to name a critical minerals czar, similar to steps previous presidents have taken to coordinate Washington’s focus on other areas, according to one of the sources. The plans are under discussion and could change before Trump signs the order, the sources added.

Kim Yo-jung Warns U.S., North Korea Won’t Tolerate Carrier Presence

pgnewser March 4, 2025

North Korea warns of ‘renewing records’ in strategic deterrence over US aircraft carrier’s entry to South – Morung Express
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The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday warned of “renewing” the country’s records in strategic deterrence, denouncing the recent arrival of a US aircraft carrier in South Korea as an attempt to “threaten and pressurise” its regime.

Kim Yo-jong made the condemnation as the USS Carl Vinson, a Nimitz-class US aircraft carrier, entered a key naval base in the southeastern city of Busan on Sunday, as part of the US commitment to providing extended deterrence against North Korean threats, Yonhap news agency reported.

She accused the US of deploying its strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula at the “constant” level, denouncing the USS Carl Vinson’s South Korea entry as Washington’s expression of its “most hostile and confrontational will” against the North, according to her statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency.

“As indicated by the regional military situation, the US and its stooges’ heinous ambition to threaten, pressurise and bring the DPRK to its knees by force of arms is developing into a more reckless phase,” Kim argued, referring to her country by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

China Winning Space Wars? U.S. Space Force Claims it is

pgnewser February 21, 2025

Report: Space Force strategy, resources insufficient to counter China – SpaceNews
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The U.S. Space Force lacks the resources and warrior mentality needed to compete with China in an increasingly militarized space domain, according to a new report that challenges the service’s fundamental strategy.

The report, released Feb. 19 by the Mitchell Institute’s Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence, takes direct aim at Space Force Chief Gen. Chance Saltzman’s “theory of success” framework, arguing that his emphasis on competitive endurance over victory could leave America vulnerable in the new space race.

“Systemic issues exist within the Space Force and Department of Defense that threaten the success of the Space Force in a long-term competition with China,” write authors Charles Galbreath and Jennifer Reeves, both retired military officers and senior fellows at the Mitchell Institute, a nonpartisan think tank affiliated with the Air & Space Forces Association.

At the heart of their criticism is what they see as a culture problem: While other military branches embrace their combat roles, the five-year-old Space Force has struggled to develop a similar war-fighting ethos among its guardians, as Space Force personnel are known.

CCP Accused of Funding U.S. Universities’ “Clean Energy” Projects

pgnewser February 21, 2025

Chinese Communist Party-linked group sends ‘clean energy’ money to American universities– www.thecollegefix.com
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UC Berkeley says foreign money doesn’t influence research, harm academic freedom

An energy foundation linked to Chinese Communist Party officials has poured $630,000 into four American universities for “clean energy” projects, according to a new report.

The University of California Berkeley, the University of California Los Angeles, the University of Maryland, and Harvard University all received a portion of $630,000 from the Energy Foundation, according to a Washington Free Beacon analysis.

The foundation opened in San Francisco decades ago but split into an American group and a Chinese group. The Energy Foundation China did not respond to an email on Friday seeking comment on the report and what it hopes to achieve with its grants. The Free Beacon identified a handful of foundation executives tied to the CCP, including CEO Ji Zou.

However, UC Berkeley said the money does not influence academic freedom.

“UC Berkeley has strict protocols and policies that protect the independence of university researchers, as well as their academic freedom,” Assistant Vice Chancellor for Executive Communications Dan Mogulof told The College Fix via email. “The terms in UC Berkeley’s research contracts reserve decision-making authority and freedom to publish for the university.”