The US-China Podcast

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China & The Hill: Beijing Reacts to U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit, And Sets Lowest Growth Target in Decades Mar 11, 2026

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China & the Hill is a weekly newsletter covering Washington DC's China-focused debates, actions, and reactions. Readers will receive a curated digest of each week's most pressing U.S.-China news and its impact on businesses and policy, and can listen to the top stories in podcast form on the U.S.-China Podcast.

America and China at the Edge of Ruin: A Last Chance to Step Back From the Brink Feb 27, 2026

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David M. Lampton and Wang Jisi co-authored an article published in the March/April 2026 issue of Foreign Affairs in which they argue that the character of the U.S.-China bilateral relationship has changed profoundly. In the early 2010s the two countries moved from cautious engagement with each other to tense rivalry. Each sees the other as the primary threat to its core values, political legitimacy, and vital national interests. It is possible, however, to stabilize and normalize the bilateral relationship by making room for each other in the international system and regional security architectures.

In an interview conducted on February 23, 2026, article co-author David M. Lampton joins Steve Orlins to discuss steps that the United States and China could take to pull back from the current dangerously negative trajectory

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China & The Hill: Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs as Upcoming Summit and Taiwan Stakes Rise Feb 25, 2026

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How to strengthen China-Africa Development Work Feb 20, 2026

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China's development investments across the African continent have had global ramifications. Inspired by the ability to use language to build bridges, NCUSCR staff Lizabeth Bamgboye discusses her experience studying China and its impact on Africa and the wider African diaspora. As a Nigerian-American Lizabeth reflects on how different countries learn about China and what that means for diplomatic ties.

Lizabeth Bamgboye joined us on February 5, 2026 to share how her experiences shape her potential to work in the development space with a focus on China-Africa collaboration.

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China & the Hill: Presidents Trump and Xi Discuss Taiwan and Trade as Washington Builds Minerals Bloc Feb 14, 2026

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Why the United States Needs China Expertise Feb 06, 2026

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Fourteen years ago, nearly 15,000 Americans were studying abroad in China – but now the number is less than 2,000. Fewer economic opportunities for Americans in China and changing U.S. perceptions of China are partially to blame for this decline, but the need for China expertise, particularly to craft effective foreign policy, is growing as China continues to rise. However, the U.S. government has shuttered or slowed some of the paths people used to take to study China, such as the Fulbright and Peace Corp program. Why does the United States need China expertise and what does its loss mean for U.S. foreign policy?

Rory Truex joined us in December 2025 to discuss the high barriers to studying China and the consequences a lack of China expertise could have for the future of U.S. foreign policy.

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China & The Hill: Trump Issues Warnings as Allies Deepen Ties with Beijing; Taiwan Hits a Defense Spending Stalemate Feb 04, 2026

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🚨 Check out the new China & the Hill Legislation Database! 🚨

China & the Hill is now on Substack

China & the Hill: Washington Softens Its China Strategy as Espionage, TikTok, and Critical Minerals Take Center Stage Jan 28, 2026

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🚨 Check out the new China & the Hill Legislation Database! 🚨

China & the Hill is now on Substack

Why Chinese students aren't coming to study in the U.S. Jan 23, 2026

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100,000 fewer Chinese international students are in the United States compared to 2019, and this trend is showing no signs of slowing. These students are a major economic driver in small college towns and large cities across the United States. In 2024, Chinese international students had an estimated $14.6 billion-dollar economic impact in the United States through tuition and living costs alone. They also greatly add to the science and engineering fields in the United States, particularly in AI and quantum computing. The cost of Chinese international students' contribution to the U.S. economy and academic institutions is difficult to calculate, but what impact does fewer Chinese international students have for the United States?

Yingyi Ma joined us in November 2025 to uncover why fewer Chinese students are coming to the United States and what that means for the U.S. economy and higher education.

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China's Reaction to U.S. Military Action in Venezuela Jan 14, 2026

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On January 3, 2026, the United States launched a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicholas Maduro and an escalation in U.S.-Venezuela tensions. This intervention has sparked intense global debate – raising questions about international law, sovereignty, and the use of force. It also highlighted the broader implications of intensifying U.S.–China competition across Latin America.

In an event held on January 9, 2026, Margaret Myers and Tong Zhao, in conversation with Jesse Marks, discuss how this unexpected U.S. military action is reshaping strategic calculations in Beijing and Washington, what it may signal for Taiwan, and what these developments mean for the future of U.S.-China relations.

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