Sharp China: Official Secrets and a Royal Mess in the UK; Trillion Dollar Rumors in the Trade War; 300,000 Sim Cards in New York and New Jersey

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Show Notes:

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with a mounting scandal in the UK after prosecutors dropped charges against two men accused of spying for China. Topics include: Fingers pointed and claims that PM Keir Starmer and his Labour appointees were unwilling to present evidence of China as an “enemy,” ongoing reluctance to target PRC foreign agents under a new UK enforcement scheme, and reports of Beijing’s latest play to move forward with its “mega embassy.” From there: The EU Commission proposes tariff hikes to shield its steel industry from PRC overcapacity, why talk of a trillion dollar resolution to the US-China trade war is probably overblown, and a soybean bailout prompts questions about U.S. agriculture priorities generally. At the end: Reports of a “China-linked plot” to throttle communications in New York City, and the NBA’s reunion with Chinese basketball fans continues in Macao and San Antonio.

Related Readings:

Labour secretly sabotaged China spy trial -- The Telegraph

China’s fifth-ranking official was suspect in dropped Westminster spy case -- The Guardian

UK government undermined China spying probe to protect Beijing ties, say officials -- FT

China threatened to retaliate against UK over foreign influence rules -- The Guardian

Water torture... China turns off the taps for British diplomats after row over ‘mega-embassy’ in London -- Daily Mail

Eyeing China, EU unveils sweeping measures to shield its struggling steel industry -- SCMP

China Urges Trump to Lift Security Curbs in Push for Deals -- Bloomberg

Trump bailout for trade-hit US farmers expected this week -- Reuters

Thwarted plot to cripple cell service in NY was bigger than first thought: Sources -- ABC

NBA basketball was huge in China. The league is hoping for a rebound. -- WaPo