Coercion and Countermoves: The US-China Economic Rivalry | China Considered

In a wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Elizabeth Economy and Dr. Melanie Hart discuss China’s economic coercion, its impact globally, and how the United States can most effectively respond. Hart draws on cases from her time at the State Department to illustrate how her team successfully combatted Chinese efforts to use the power of their market to force political alignment by other countries. She also stresses, however, that this is an ongoing battle.

ABOUT THE SERIES

China Considered with Elizabeth Economy is a Hoover Institution podcast series that features in-depth conversations with leading political figures, scholars, and activists from around the world. The series explores the ideas, events, and forces shaping China’s future and its global relationships, offering high-level expertise, clear-eyed analysis, and valuable insights to demystify China’s evolving dynamics and what they may mean for ordinary citizens and key decision makers across societies, governments, and the private sector.

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The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hoover Institution or Stanford University.

© 2025 by the Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University.

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[StewartChaimson]

Wow, lightning round from beginning to end; thanks for the fascinating discussion.

[kalipotmeng]

This is a recording on the back of Trump threatening Denmark of X% tariffs if it doesn't let Greenland be part of the US. Who is the biggest bully in town? If that's not coercion, I don't understand the world anymore.

[DoubtingTom]

A great discussion, and good to hear how US and other countries are fighting back.

[fs]

Melanie is awesome and truly understands the beast we're dealing with. Great to have her in our corner as an American 😀🙌

[jesuslovesaves]

China is reliant on food imports. All these nations need to do is team up and shut down food imports to China and they will likely cease the threats.

[mikestewart]

“I would say, uh, China need to make more, uh, take more prompt actions in, uh, dealing with, uh, dramatic, uh, aging population in China and the dramatic, uh, population decline.” -Victor Gao

[jmosch]

Important to note that when China and its cheerleaders say the US needs to do more, it has made less effort to communicate policy and preferences than this one single podcast did to expound upon US policy and preferences. Beijing doesn't permit it, and when someone tries (like a couple of weeks ago regarding China's domestic economy) they are disappeared. This is China's issue to help have a breakthrough in the relationship.

[kalipotmeng]

What a ridiculous example with Lithuania. "Yeah, we replaced 2% of their trade with other countries. That's a playbook for our other friends to become independent of China!". No wonder why these people always lose to China.😂

[Reynold-Kelly]

I'm favoured $130k every 4 weeks! I now have a good house and can afford anything and also support my family

[somerandomguyfromtheintern]

As much manufacturing needs to be moved to friendly governments asap. Near shoring, South Asian, domestic.

[lioicomestai]

Targeting Economic Coercion as part of ongoing Cold War II is of vitally importance. Understanding the root of this capability from Leninism based regimes broadens our counterattack strategies, allowing us to “Hit 1st 3 inches of a snake” (a Cina idiom).
From my perspective, I would focus on the Societal Ownership, particularly, the state-owned enterprises (SOE). The strategy is developed through social philosophy and grounded in the history, economics, and politics of Leninism ideology based countries.
Prof Shu Cen Gang’s (許成鋼) recent published book – "Institutional Genes" can be referenced for further insights.