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☆ The US-China tech race is moving from chips to the raw materials they're made of
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Huileng Tan | Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In the race against the US for global tech supremacy, China has the upper hand in at least one critical area: rare earths. AdvertisementFor more than a year, Beijing has slowly been tightening its grip on critical minerals and rare earths. Now, there are fears that China could tighten the global rare earths supply chain even more. China's rare earth dominanceChina has long dominated the rare earths market due to supply, low labor costs, and lax environmental standards. In 2022, the US Department of Defense awarded $45 million to MP Materials for rare earth oxide processing, and in 2023, it awarded over $288 million to Lynas USA to set up commercial-scale rare earth oxide production facilities.

Persons: Deng Xiaoping, —, Rick Waters, Donald Trump's, Louise Loo, Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Chris Tang, Nick Vyas, USC Marshall's Randall R, Vyas, he's Organizations: European Union, World Trade Organization, US Department of Defense, Materials, US, White, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Oxford Economics, Greater China, Council, Foreign Relations, Soviet, Bloomberg, AMD, USC, Kendrick, Supply Chain Institute, Bureau of Industry, Security Locations: China, US, Beijing, Japan, USA, Eurasia, Washington, Taiwan, Greater, Soviet Union, North Korea, North Vietnam

Ties have been at their lowest point in decades amid disputes over trade, technology, Taiwan and Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. “We respect the choice of the American people,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement earlier. A second Trump presidency “could mark a new beginning in China-U.S. relations if the chance that has been offered is not wasted,” state-run newspaper China Daily said in an editorial on Wednesday. But Chinese officials laser-focused on stabilizing their faltering economy are also mindful of the tariffs of 60% or more that Trump has vowed to impose on all Chinese imports. One person it may turn to for help is tech billionaire Elon Musk, a devoted Trump supporter with extensive business interests in China who is wildly popular there.

Persons: “, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Biden, Xi, Trump, China “, ”, Susan Walsh, Rick Waters, Kamala Harris, Waters, Trump’s, ” Waters, Harris, Mao Ning, Elon Musk, Ian Bremmer Organizations: Trump, ” Xinhua, Foreign Ministry, Eurasia Group, Democratic, ., China Daily, CNBC Locations: HONG KONG, Taiwan, South China, Beijing, China, Asia, Pacific, South Korea, Japan, Australia, U.S, China’s, New York, Houston, Chengdu

☆ Beijing's strategy on Taiwan is not invasion but 'calibrated increased pressure': Eurasia Group
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBeijing's strategy on Taiwan is not invasion but 'calibrated increased pressure': Eurasia GroupRick Waters, Managing Director of China practice at Eurasia Group, discusses the geopolitical risks in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

Persons: Rick Waters Organizations: Eurasia, Eurasia Group Locations: Taiwan, China, Taiwan Strait, South China

☆ US bus company Coach files for bankruptcy to sell its business
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Coach USA, the operator of Megabus and other commuter bus lines in the US and Canada, filed for bankruptcy protection in Delaware late Tuesday, seeking to sell its assets and shed debt incurred in an ill-timed 2019 private equity buyout. Coach, the largest privately owned bus company in the US, was acquired by private equity firm Variant Equity Advisors for $270 million, mostly using debt that is still on the company’s books. Coach CEO Derrick Waters said that buses will continue to run as normal during the company’s bankruptcy. The company operates several other bus brands in addition to Coach, including Megabus, Dillon’s Bus Company, and Go Van Galder. Renco Group, a private investment company, would acquire the majority of Coach’s assets in exchange for taking on $130 million of company debt and certain union contracts.

Persons: Derrick Waters, ” Waters, Van Galder Organizations: USA, Equity, Coronavirus, Economic Security, Dillon’s Bus Company, Renco, Avalon Transportation, ABC Buses Locations: Canada, Delaware, Wilmington , Delaware, Atlanta , Georgia

☆ New Taiwanese president's 'main focus is domestic': Eurasia Group
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailNew Taiwanese president's 'main focus is domestic': Eurasia GroupRick Waters, managing director of China practice at Eurasia Group, discusses new Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te's inauguration and what it means for U.S.-China relations.

Persons: Rick Waters, Lai Ching Organizations: Eurasia, Eurasia Group, U.S Locations: China

☆ Yellen returns to China to tackle economic challenges bedeviling ties with US
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —Janet Yellen has kicked off her second visit to China as US treasury secretary to continue efforts to further stabilize ties between the world’s two largest economies. “During prior meetings with her Chinese interlocutors, Yellen has largely avoided taking a strong stance on controversial issues,” he said. Trade tensionsBiden administration officials have suggested raising tariffs on Chinese imports to “level” the playing field for trade. Former President Donald Trump has threatened to slap 60% tariffs on imports from China if he is re-elected. The “forces” are often referred to as emerging industries such as EVs, new materials and artificial intelligence.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Janet Yellen, Yellen, “, ’ Yellen, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Lifeng, Liu He, Pan Gongsheng, Lan Fo’an, Craig Singleton, ”, Biden, Xi’s, Donald Trump, Rick Waters, ’, Xi, Waters, don’t, ” Singleton Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, People’s Bank of China, Finance, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Bali . Trade, Biden, Trump, Treasury Department Locations: China, Hong Kong, Georgia, United States, California, Guangzhou, Beijing, Washington, Bali ., Eurasia

☆ China just pulled the country version of a company canceling its quarterly earnings call
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China has canceled a closely watched annual press conference with Premier Li Qiang. Experts suggest the move indicates Xi Jinping is attempting to control the narrative regarding China's economic health. After all, investors are looking to the event for cues on China's economy, which has been struggling to stage a convincing post-pandemic recovery. AdvertisementInstead of a sustained post-COVID boom, China's economy is beset with major problems including a property crisis , deflationary pressure , and a demographic crisis . But some experts say the cancellation is a sign that Chinese leader Xi Jinping doesn't want anyone questioning his regime.

Persons: Premier Li Qiang, Jinping, —, Lou Qinjian, Rick Waters, Waters, Li, Lou, Xi Jinping, Xi, Jonathan Ward, Tom Porter Organizations: Premier, Service, National People's, Eurasia Group, GZERO Media, Hudson Institute Locations: China, Beijing

☆ President Biden and Xi Jinping's APEC meeting didn't lead to any strategic changes, says Rick Waters
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPresident Biden and Xi Jinping's APEC meeting didn't lead to any strategic changes, says Rick WatersRick Water, Managing Director at the Eurasia Group, discusses the key takeaways from President Biden's meeting with China's Xi Jinping.

Persons: Biden, Rick Waters Rick Water, Biden's, China's Xi Organizations: Xi, APEC, Eurasia Group

☆ State Department picks veteran diplomat Mark Lambert as top China policy official
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. State Department has picked veteran diplomat Mark Lambert as its top China policy official, five sources familiar with the matter said, bringing in new leadership for a part of the department that has faced staffing problems and criticism over its handling of China-focused initiatives. Waters had also served as the head of the Office of China Coordination — informally known as "China House" — a unit the department created late last year to meld China policies across regions and issues. Whether Lambert will assume the China House coordinator title is still being discussed, sources said. Lambert's appointment is unlikely to change the tone of Washington's China policy, which President Joe Biden's administration says is one of "intense competition" while trying to increase engagement with Beijing to stabilize ties. It was unclear when the State Department will formally announce the appointment.

Persons: Mark Lambert, Lambert, Rick Waters, Waters, Joe Biden's Organizations: U.S . State Department, of China Coordination, State Department, of Locations: Washington , DC, China, Taiwan, Beijing, East Asia, of China, U.S, People's Republic of China

Waters had also served as the head of the Office of China Coordination - informally known as 'China House' - a unit the department created late last year to meld China policies across regions and issues. Whether Lambert will assume the China House coordinator title is still being discussed, sources said. It was unclear when the State Department will formally announce the appointment. The State Department pushed back on criticism about China House, saying it was one if its highest-functioning teams. Senior officials have acknowledged morale and staffing problems at China House, but denied they were linked to how the State department carries out China policy.

Persons: Mark Lambert, Lambert, Rick Waters, Waters, Joe Biden's, “, Biden, Xi Jinping, Daniel Kritenbrink, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina, Don Durfee Organizations: U.S . State Department, of China Coordination, State Department, of, Washington, U.S, Pacific Affairs, Reuters, Republicans, Department, Thomson Locations: China, Taiwan, Beijing, East Asia, of China, U.S, People’s Republic of China, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, State, Lincoln

☆ These are the top 3 cities for new grads to launch their lives and careers: 'I can afford the house I want and the life I want'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Jennifer Liu | In Jljenniferliu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

1 best metro area for new grads in 2023 is the area surrounding Lubbock, Texas. Data is one thing, but what is it actually like to be a young person living in these areas? "Other cities did great in one or two areas max, but Lubbock offers the whole package," DeJohn says. Many of the clients Douglas works with are young homebuyers around her age and just out of college or grad school. "Here, I know I can afford the house I want and the life I want," she adds.

☆ US in 'extensive effort' with partners to counter China influence operations
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Michael Martina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, April 18 (Reuters) - A day after authorities arrested two people on charges of links to a Chinese "secret police station" in New York, a U.S. official said the United States is engaged in an "extensive effort" with international partners to counter Chinese influence operations. Federal prosecutors said the arrests on Monday were part of a crackdown on China's targeting of dissidents, which Beijing denies. Human rights groups have also complained of threats to academic freedom and monitoring of Chinese students on international university campuses. Waters said the U.S. was working through public diplomacy and "private diplomatic channels" with partners who had found the same issue in their countries. Reporting by Michael Martina and Steve Holland; Editing by Don Durfee and Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

"This is not a good moment for American diplomacy," said William Kirby, a professor of Chinese studies at Harvard University. A source familiar with that conversation called it the most antagonistic U.S.-China engagement since contentious talks in Alaska early in the Biden administration. Name me one," Biden said in his speech, evidently referring to a host of domestic and foreign policy challenges facing China. However, Biden is likely to find Xi emboldened in any call after a Chinese-brokered rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran and his meetings with Putin. Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina Editing by Don Durfee and Alistair BellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ State Department launches 'China House' amid rivalry with Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Friday launched its long-planned "China House" unit, an internal reorganization to help expand and sharpen its policymaking toward its top geopolitical rival. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in May announced the creation of China House, calling it a department-wide, integrated team that would coordinate and implement U.S. policy across issues and regions. China House will bring together China experts from throughout the department to coordinate with "every regional bureau and experts in international security, economics, technology, multilateral diplomacy, and strategic communications," the statement quoted Blinken as saying. It will replace the department's China Desk, but will continue to be overseen by Rick Waters, the deputy assistant secretary of state for China, Taiwan and Mongolia in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, according to an official. President Joe Biden's administration has laid out a strategy to compete with China focused on investing in U.S. competitiveness and aligning with allies and partners.

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