Author: Khushboo Razdan

Which US Companies are Most at Risk in China? The market research firm Strategy Risks has identified the 250 most vulnerable US companies in China, with Ford Motor, Carrier, Tesla, Apple, and Coca-Cola leading the list. The evaluation considered factors like supply chain dynamics, connections with the Chinese government, and industry regulations. Ford scored the highest at 69, followed by Apple and Carrier at 65. Tesla and Coca-Cola both scored 63. Other notable companies like Honeywell and Walt Disney are close behind with scores around 60. With the ongoing geopolitical competition between the US and China, these companies face the…

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On July 28, the director of Columbia University’s Knight First Amendment Institute posted a US Justice Department document on social media related to TikTok’s legal challenge against the company’s potential ban in the United States. “The Biden admin has finally told the DC Circuit why Americans can’t have access to TikTok,” wrote Jameel Jaffer, on X, formerly Twitter. The post comprised a page from a brief submitted to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, entirely obscured by black marking and unreadable. In a subsequent post, Jaffer quipped: “To be fair, not all of the brief…

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Republican lawmakers react strongly to the US Defence Department’s decision to remove Hesai, a Chinese lidar company, from its blacklist. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida criticizes the move, urging more restrictions on Chinese companies. Senator Rick Scott demands the reversal of the decision, stating it benefits a CCP-controlled company. In December, Rubio and Scott requested Hesai’s addition to the Pentagon’s entity list, restricting its access to defense contracts. Despite Hesai’s denial of military ties, concerns remain about its links to the Chinese government. Experts highlight the potential consequences of removing Hesai from the blacklist, questioning the clarity of national security…

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US Representative John Moolenaar, chairman of the House select committee on China, raised concerns about Gotion, a Chinese-affiliated company planning operations in Michigan. Moolenaar urged a new investigation to halt Gotion’s Michigan plans, emphasizing that American tax dollars should not support China’s national champions. The controversy arose when Gotion amended its FARA filing to disclose partial subsidization from the Chinese government, contradicting its previous statements. Despite its ties to China, Gotion obtained federal clearance and state subsidies totaling $175 million for a Michigan project, facing local opposition over national security and environmental concerns. Governor Gretchen Whitmer supported the project for…

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Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that the alliance was not expanding into the Indo-Pacific due to their focus on defence capabilities in the Euro-Atlantic regions. Nevertheless, he highlighted the importance of communication and cooperation with other nations, especially with regards to shared threat perceptions like Russia and China’s collaboration. China’s support to Russia’s defence industry was deemed a significant concern by Nato, impacting both Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific partners. The current Nato summit, hosting key players from Asia like Japan and South Korea, aims to enhance collaboration in countering hybrid threats and promoting cybersecurity. As Nato works towards bolstering its defence…

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Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has confirmed that strong language will be used at the upcoming summit with partners from Europe and the Indo-Pacific. The three-day gathering aims to strengthen relationships, navigate geopolitical challenges, and address significant political transitions. Stoltenberg highlighted the growing alignment of authoritarian powers like Russia and China, who seek to undermine Western alliances. Jens Stoltenberg of Norway is Nato’s secretary general. Photo: EPA-EFE Nato, born in 1949, faces a more dangerous world, with calls for increased defence spending and collective responsibility. As tensions rise, discussions at the summit will cover a range of topics, including aid…

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Nato Secretary-General Stoltenberg offered crucial insights during his visit to Washington, setting the tone for the upcoming Nato summit in July. He highlighted China’s role in fueling the conflict in Ukraine, despite President Xi Jinping’s attempts to maintain a facade of non-involvement. Stoltenberg emphasized the need for collaboration among allies in Europe and Asia to uphold international order and values. As Nato strengthens ties with Indo-Pacific nations, the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea participated in a recent summit, underlining the global implications of regional conflicts. The visit also shed light on China’s support for Russia, with…

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Democratic congressman Tom Suozzi of New York questioned who the Department of Homeland Security buys batteries from, sparking a debate with Republican congressman Carlos Gimenez of Florida. The discussion revolved around the potential security risks of using Chinese-made batteries, with bipartisan support for a bill prohibiting the Pentagon from purchasing such batteries. The bill aimed to address concerns about malware and remote shutdowns associated with Chinese battery manufacturers. Gimenez sponsored a bill targeting foreign adversarial battery dependence, citing companies like CATL and BYD as potential risks. The debate in Congress highlighted concerns about China’s dominance in battery production and the…

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In the world of critical minerals, China reigns supreme, processing a significant percentage of the global supply. With Beijing controlling the production of graphite, rare earths, and cobalt, concerns over supply chain dependency have been raised. Australia, a major player in lithium production, is ramping up efforts to attract investments in critical minerals mining and processing. Meanwhile, Japan has managed to decrease its reliance on Chinese critical minerals. India, on the other hand, heavily depends on Chinese imports for lithium and cobalt. Senator Lankford emphasizes the importance of forming trusted partnerships among the US, Australia, India, and Japan to reduce…

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The FBI has acknowledged its past missteps in the China Initiative and is seeking the community’s help in countering the Chinese Communist Party. FBI officials participated in a dialogue in Houston, emphasizing the need for open communication and transparency. Despite the China Initiative being terminated due to allegations of racial profiling, scrutiny of individuals with Chinese ties continues. Community leaders welcomed the FBI’s outreach efforts, viewing it as a step towards preventing prejudice. Asian-Americans were urged to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to improve communication and foster trust. The FBI aims to handle investigations based on factual allegations to respect…

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