Trump election claims debunked, US critical minerals fears: 7 US-China relations reads

We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering US-China relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. Liberation Day 2.0? US slaps fresh wave of tariffs on China, 50-plus economiesPhoto: APOn June 24, the United States imposed a fresh wave of tariffs against 60 economies, including China, Japan, South Korea, India and European Union member states, hours before a temporary 10 per cent blanket levy was due to expire.Read the full story here.2. As US-Chinese AI model gap narrows, what next for Washington?Photo: ShutterstockIn June, the US’ AI lead over China seemingly shrank from months to weeks following the arrival of new Chinese models from Moonshot AI and Alibaba Group Holding – to the surprise of many in Washington.Read the full story here.3. Asian-American groups fear Trump’s escalating rhetoric will fuel racism in USPhoto: ShutterstockAsian-American groups slammed a speech by US President Donald Trump as a dangerous threat to citizens of US minority communities that are already facing attacks and hostility during troubled and deeply partisan times, even as China hawks praised its message and tone.Read the full story here.4. Many allegations, little evidence: unpacking China election-interference recordsPhoto: Pool via APNewly declassified US intelligence records show Chinese actors collected or acquired voter information covering millions of Americans and that Beijing developed capabilities that could be used to influence political opinion, but the documents do not substantiate Trump’s claims that China stole the records of 220 million voters or manipulated the 2020 election.Read the full story here.5. US not getting enough critical minerals from China, Greer warns SenatePhoto: Getty Images via AFPWashington is still not receiving sufficient critical mineral exports from China, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told the Senate Finance Committee, even as top American and Chinese officials met to finalise key economic deliverables for President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to the White House.Further ReadingRead the full story here.6. Crawfish soup on Mars? US Senate hears worries over China’s scientific ambitionsPhoto: ShutterstockA Chinese researcher’s vision of serving spicy crawfish soup to astronauts on Mars became an unlikely symbol of Washington’s growing anxiety over China’s scientific ambitions at a US Senate hearing in June.SCMP Plus is a new premium news platform that gives you an all-inclusive edge to stay ahead on China news. To access our exclusive content you’ll need to subscribe.Already a subscriber?LOG INRead the full story here.7. US lawmakers accuse China of using UN peacekeeping forces to spy on countriesPhoto: AFPLawmakers called out China’s growing footprint at the United Nations on Wednesday as a vehicle for espionage even as a Congressional hearing over its funding descended into a heated partisan battle over the Iran war started by Trump.Read the full story here.