FP China Brief - December 31 -2024 - This was a relatively quiet if depressing year for China. But 2025 could be a lot stormier

 

DECEMBER 31, 2024  |  VIEW IN BROWSER  |  SUBSCRIBE Some of this newsletter is subscriber-only—if you want to get a fuller picture of what’s going on in Beijing and around the world, subscribe now. Unlock exclusive content Have an IP subscription to FP? Access China Brief on the web. By James Palmer Welcome to Foreign Policy’s China Brief. This was a relatively quiet if depressing year for China. But 2025 could be a lot stormier, especially when it comes to clashes with the United States. As the COVID-19 pandemic showed when it began nearly five years ago, there are many potential unknowns in a country of 1.4 billion people. The return of the mercurial Donald Trump to the White House adds to the uncertainty. However, there are some things that we can still count on; below, we round up five bets on China’s next year. Have feedback? Hit reply to let me know your thoughts. A Harsh Trade War Cars wait to be loaded onto ships for export in Lianyungang, China, on Dec. 12.AFP via Getty Images With Donald Trump beginning a second term as U.S. president and promising at least 60 to 70 percent tariffs on China, the leadership in Beijing is readying for a ferocious economic struggle. To be sure, Trump makes a lot of promises and threats that never materialize, but tariffs are an article of faith to him—and there are plenty of fellow believers tapped for his new administration. China’s manufacturing economy ... read more. Want to keep reading? Subscribe to Foreign Policy to keep reading this post and get the full edition of China Brief in your inbox each week. In addition to full access to James Palmer’s expert insight on China, a subscription to FP has so many additional benefits to offer: Daily reporting and geopolitical analysis—FP cuts through the noise and provides unique insights not found in other traditional media Live and on-demand video interviews with leading foreign-policy experts and thinkers Quarterly digital and/or print magazines chock-full of timely features The ability to personalize your reading experience with My FP SUBSCRIBE TODAY