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Tag: China

Former USAID official warns China is already looking to fill void left by paused programs

The Trump administration’s pause of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding may leave the door open for China to spread its influence, and Beijing is not wasting time trying to fill in the gaps.

A former USAID official, who spoke with Fox News Digital under the condition of anonymity, said that whereas the U.S. stepped down, China has “immediately” stepped in.

“We’ve just seen news reporting coming out of Nepal, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, documenting directly that where USAID programs have ended that the People’s Republic of China has told these governments that it will step in and become the partner for these governments to continue that work,” a former USAID official told Fox News Digital.

An illustration of Elon Musk, President Donald Trump and a USAID flag. (Getty Images)

FORMER USAID ADMINISTRATOR SAYS AGENCY SHOULD STAY WITH CONSERVATIVE HEAD

China has already stepped up its funding to Cambodia’s largest demining organization, the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), in the absence of U.S. funds, according to Reuters. As it seeks increased influence, Beijing pledged $4.4 million to CMAC, more than double the $2 million it received from the U.S. last year, the outlet added.

Additionally, China is also watching the funding freeze’s impact on Nepal, the Annapurna Express reports. While China is already sending funds to Nepal, it is reportedly increasing its financial support in various areas.

The former USAID official emphasized that “by removing these [USAID] programs it adds one more reason for many of these partners to now not see the United States as a partner who shares their priorities of investing in the people of their countries.”

President Donald Trump displays a signed National Security Presidential Memorandum in the Oval Office in 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

TOP FEDERAL AGENCY EXPOSED FOR SPENDING BILLIONS ON MIGRANTS IN A SINGLE YEAR

While there are several populations around the globe feeling the impact of the Trump administration’s funding freeze, the situation is particularly treacherous for women.

During President Donald Trump’s first term in office, his daughter, Ivanka, played a key role in launching the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP). At the time, the White House said the program was aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment.

Lilian Achom, who is based in Uganda, participated in USAID W-GDP Fund programming and was present when Trump launched the W-GDP. Now, she fears that women grappling with HIV/AIDS, many of whom are widows trying to raise children.

When speaking to Fox News Digital, Achom said Trump needs to “think about the underprivileged deep down in northern Uganda. The underprivileged, the children, the women who are currently suffering.”

Achom recalled meeting Ivanka Trump and spoke highly of the president’s daughter, saying that she was “inspired” by her.

“I saw in her someone who was really, really interested in women’s empowerment, economic development and digital inclusion for women around the world,” Achom said of Ivanka.

Ivanka Trump speaks while next to Lilian Achom in the White House, Feb. 7, 2019. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

The former USAID official who spoke with Fox News Digital said that the funding freeze is “impacting potentially every aspect of the lives of women and girls who were benefiting from USAID programs.” The official added that while China is already trying to fill certain voids left by the U.S., it’s unclear whether they will fund programs focused on women.

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The White House has accused USAID of funding “the ridiculous — and, in many cases, malicious — pet projects of entrenched bureaucrats.”

Among the areas of “waste and abuse” highlighted by the White House are $2.5 million for electric vehicles for Vietnam, $1.5 million to “advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities,” and $6 million to fund tourism in Egypt.

The State Department did not respond to a Fox News request for comment.

Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.

February 18, 2025
China outraged after Trump State Department deletes key phrase on Taiwan relations

President Donald Trump’s State Department angered Chinese officials last week after deleting a key phrase declaring U.S. opposition to Taiwan’s independence.

The State Department’s fact sheet on U.S. relations with Taiwan had previously stated “we do not support Taiwan independence,” but the phrase was removed on Thursday and continues to be absent. Chinese officials called on the U.S. to “immediately correct this mistake,” on Sunday, arguing it “sends a wrong signal to the Taiwan independence forces.”

The State Department noted in a statement to NBC News that the U.S. stance on Taiwanese independence has not changed.

“The United States is committed to preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” a spokesperson told the outlet Sunday.

TRUMP MUST DUMP ‘ONE CHINA’ POLICY AND RECOGNIZE ‘FREE’ TAIWAN, HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY

The U.S. and China have long held conflicting views over the future of Taiwan. (Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via Reuters/File)

“We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side. We support cross-Strait dialogue, and we expect cross-Strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, free from coercion, in a manner acceptable to people on both sides of the Strait,” the statement continued.

TAIWAN FM HAILS IMPORTANCE OF US RELATIONSHIP, SAYS GROUP VISITS ‘CONTRIBUTE TO PEACE AND STABILITY’

The U.S. has long held a delicate stance regarding Taiwan and its relation to the Chinese mainland. It has for decades followed the “One China” policy, in which the U.S. recognizes Beijing as the sole government of China, and acknowledges but does not affirm Beijing’s claim to control over Taiwan.

Part of this understanding requires the U.S. to not have any formal diplomatic ties to Taiwan, a policy reflected in the lack of a U.S. embassy on the island.

President Donald Trump’s State Department appears to have removed a statement rejecting Taiwan’s independence. (Getty)

Nevertheless, the U.S. has funded Taiwan’s defense and worked with Western nations to prevent mainland China from taking over. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated that he is open to using military force to conquer the island.

TRUMP CABINET PICKS DELIGHT TAIWAN, SEND STRONG SIGNAL TO CHINA

Taiwan, which has its own democratically elected government, maintains that it is its own independent country. Taiwan first became a self-governed island after pro-democracy forces fled there in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong and his Chinese Communist Party.

Taiwan Air Force Mirage fighter jets taxi on a runway at an airbase in Hsinchu, Taiwan. China makes air incursions near Taiwan on an almost daily basis. (AP Photo/Johnson Lai)

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The U.S. has relied on symbolic rejections of China’s control over Taiwan in recent years. Just last week, two U.S. Navy vessels sailed in the Taiwan Strait between the island and the mainland, as did a Canadian vessel. Both actions drew criticism from Beijing.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to [email protected], or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.

February 17, 2025
China launches center to train 100-plus humanoid robots simultaneously

Shanghai has officially unveiled its first heterogeneous humanoid robot training center, marking a significant accomplishment in China’s robotics development.

The Humanoid Robot Kylin Training Ground represents an important step in the country’s technological advancement, showcasing China’s commitment to becoming a global leader in robotics and artificial intelligence.

Humanoid robots being trained (Humanoid Robot Kylin Training Ground)

State-of-the-art center pushes boundaries of robotic training

The National and Local Co-Built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center has launched a groundbreaking training facility that is revolutionizing the field of robotics. This cutting-edge complex, spanning over 53,800 square feet, is currently capable of training more than 100 humanoid robots at once. The facility features an impressive array of over a dozen specialized training scenarios, including welding, manufacturing and automotive testing.

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These advanced robots have showcased exceptional proficiency, with an average success rate exceeding 90% in various tasks. Their capabilities range from organizing desks and sorting items to operating complex equipment, demonstrating the potential for widespread application across multiple industries. This remarkable achievement underscores the rapid progress being made in the field of humanoid robotics and highlights China’s growing prominence in artificial intelligence and automation technologies.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Humanoid robots being trained (Humanoid Robot Kylin Training Ground)

WAREHOUSE ROBOT USES AI TO PLAY REAL-LIFE TETRIS TO HANDLE MORE THAN EVER BEFORE

How the facility is helping China tackle tech challenges and aging population

The training facility aligns with China’s broader strategy to address multiple challenges, including global tech competition and the complexities of an aging society. By 2027, the center aims to train 1,000 general-purpose robots simultaneously, with plans to collect 10 million high-quality physical data entries through collaborations with local robot manufacturers.

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Humanoid robots being trained (ShanghaiEye)

WILLING TO PAY $175,000 FOR A LIFE-SIZE ROBOT FRIEND THAT REMEMBERS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU?

China’s next-gen robot ready to slither into the future

The center is preparing to introduce the 2.0 version of its humanoid robot, “Deep Snake,” which will showcase advanced technologies like linear joint actuators. This means the robot will have smoother, more precise movements. Linear joint actuators are like advanced motors that allow the robot’s joints to move in a straight line, giving it more fluid and controlled motions. It’s a big step forward in making robots that can perform a wider range of tasks with greater accuracy and efficiency. These innovations are expected to enhance the versatility and performance of humanoid robots, further solidifying China’s leadership in the robotics industry.

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Humanoid robot being trained (ShanghaiEye)

ROBOTIC DOG HELPS THOSE FACING MENTAL HEALTH AND COGNITIVE CHALLENGES

The potential and economic impact of the humanoid robot market

The Chinese humanoid robot market is experiencing explosive growth, showcasing the country’s rapid advancement in this cutting-edge technology sector. In 2024, the market was valued at $379 million, demonstrating significant initial traction. Looking ahead, projections indicate a remarkable expansion to approximately $2.3 billion by 2025, based on current exchange rates. Even more impressive is the anticipated growth to about $11.8 billion by 2030, highlighting the immense potential of this industry. The development extends beyond industrial applications, with plans for the first World Humanoid Robot Sports Games and even a marathon-running robot named “Tiangong” set to compete in April.

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Humanoid robots being trained (ShanghaiEye)

Kurt’s key takeaways

China’s investment in the Humanoid Robot Kylin Training Ground is a strategic move to reshape industrial capabilities, address societal challenges and position the country at the forefront of global innovation. As the technology continues to evolve, the world will be watching closely to see how these advanced robots will transform various sectors and potentially redefine human-machine interaction.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

February 14, 2025
‘No reason’ for new nukes: Trump floats disarmament talks with China, Russia

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President Donald Trump floated a joint meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming he wants all countries to move toward denuclearization.

Trump on Thursday told reporters he plans to advance these denuclearization talks once “we straighten it all out” in the Middle East and Ukraine, comments that come as the U.S., Russia and Ukraine are actively pursuing negotiations to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

“There’s no reason for us to be building brand new nuclear weapons, we already have so many,” Trump said Thursday at the White House. “You could destroy the world 50 times over, 100 times over. And here we are building new nuclear weapons, and they’re building nuclear weapons.”

“We’re all spending a lot of money that we could be spending on other things that are actually, hopefully, much more productive,” he said.

The U.S. is projected to spend approximately $756 billion on nuclear weapons between 2023 and 2032, according to a Congressional Budget Office report released in 2023.

PUTIN VIEWED AS ‘GREAT COMPETITOR’ BUT STILL A US ‘ADVERSARY’ AS UKRAINE NEGOTIATIONS LOOM, LEAVITT SAYS

President Donald Trump floated a joint meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, claiming he wants all countries to move toward denuclearization. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via Reuters)

Additionally, Trump said that he was aiming to schedule meetings with Xi and Putin early on in his second term and request that the countries cut their military budgets in half. The president said he believes “we can do that,” and remained indifferent about whether he traveled to Xi or Putin, or if they visited the White House.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has dramatically reduced its nuclear arsenal since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

The U.S. maintains 3,748 nuclear warheads as of September 2023, a drop from the stockpile of 22,217 nuclear warheads in 1989, according to the Department of Energy. The agency reported the U.S. owned a maximum of 31,255 nuclear warheads in 1966.

In comparison, Russia has an estimated stockpile of roughly 4,380 nuclear warheads, while China boasts an arsenal of roughly 600, according to the Federation of American Scientists.

Trump on Thursday announced plans to pursue denuclearization talks with Russia and China. (AP/Alex Brandon)

Trump’s remarks build on previous statements he made in January at the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland, where he signaled interest in talks on denuclearization with both Russia and China.

“Tremendous amounts of money are being spent on nuclear, and the destructive capability is something that we don’t even want to talk about today, because you don’t want to hear it,” Trump said on Jan. 23.

Previous talks between the U.S., Russia and China fell through in 2020 during Trump’s first administration after he refused to sign an extension of the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia to impose limits on each country’s nuclear arsenals. The treaty ultimately was renewed under the Biden administration and now expires in 2026, but Russia suspended its participation.

On Thursday, Trump accused these negotiations of falling apart due what he called the “rigged election” in 2020.

NO LONGER TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF: TRUMP SIGNS ORDER PRIORITIZING ‘UNIFIED’ US FOREIGN POLICY FRONT

Trump said that he was aiming to schedule meetings with Xi and Putin early on in his second term and request that the countries cut their military budgets in half. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Trump also said on Thursday that Putin wants peace after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, comments that followed back-to-back calls with the Russian leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also traveled to Kyiv on Wednesday.

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Trump, who met with Zelenskyy in New York in September 2024, urged Putin to cease the war — or face sanctions — in a post on Truth Social on Jan. 22.

“Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” Trump wrote. If we don’t make a ‘deal’, and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries.”

February 13, 2025
China carrying out customs fraud, trade expert says: ‘No doubt’

Daniel Pickard explains common misconceptions about how President Donald Trump is using tariffs and why we could see a crackdown on trade fraud.

China may be out of ways to evade U.S. trade laws as President Donald Trump’s tariffs and border crackdowns come into effect. International trade expert Daniel Pickard believes Trump’s return to the Oval Office could bring an end to shady Chinese trade practices.

“What we have seen repeatedly with a lot of the Chinese products is that they choose not to pass along that duty, but they actually absorb that cost and keep their price the same in the United States in attempts to continue to buy market share,” Pickard told Fox Business. “I think what we’re going to see is that the Chinese are going to continue to attempt to absorb those duties and export their way out of economic doldrums.”

Pickard says that while there is a lack of consensus about the rate at which China’s economy is slowing, there is an agreement among experts like himself that it is “considerably cooling,” and the CCP sees exports as a way out.

U.S. President Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping during the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo / Reuters)

USPS SUSPENDS INBOUND PACKAGES FROM CHINA, HONG KONG POSTS

However, the CCP’s gravy train could come to a grinding halt thanks to Trump’s policies and calls for “increased enforcement,” Pickard says.

On Feb. 1, President Trump signed an executive order implementing an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports, something he spoke about throughout his 2024 campaign.

“Chinese officials have failed to take the actions necessary to stem the flow of precursor chemicals to known criminal cartels and shut down money laundering by transnational criminal organizations,” the White House wrote, citing the flow of fentanyl and other “contraband drugs” into the US as a reason for the heightened tariffs.

The White House went on to slam previous administrations that “failed to fully leverage America’s economic position as a tool to secure our borders.” President Trump sees tariffs as not only a way of boosting U.S. manufacturers and the economy, but also to curb the flow of illegal drugs and to protect U.S. intellectual property.

“In response to China’s intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer, and other unreasonable behavior, President Trump acted with conviction to impose tariffs on imports from China, using that leverage to reach a historic bilateral economic agreement,” the White House added.

President Trump discusses how he handled China while in office during his interview on ‘Mornings with Maria.’ (Wang Gang/VCG via Getty Images/ Fox Business / Fox News)

Pickard told Fox Business that instances of Chinese customs fraud and trade crimes are not “anecdotal or isolated.” He asserted that “everybody who is involved in this space is aware of at least dozens, if not more, stories of Chinese importers being involved in customs fraud.”

“There is no doubt that there is massive customs fraud going on,” Pickard told Fox Business, explaining that the fraud can take various forms. Chinese goods could be mislabeled as other products or may be shipped to other countries that will remove its “made in China” indication.

“What we’re seeing over and over again are essentially transshipment issues where China is shipping product to Thailand or Malaysia or sometimes Canada or Mexico, and then someone in that country is removing the ‘made in China’ indication, indicating that it’s now ‘made in Thailand,’ and shipping it into the United States, and therefore avoiding the duties,” Pickard said.

Trump says Xi Jinping, China’s president, knows where he stands when it comes to tariffs. (Ton Molina/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

CHINA RESPONDS WITH TARIFFS ON US GOODS AFTER TRUMP’S TARIFFS ON CHINESE IMPORTS TAKE EFFECT

In response to a Fox Business request for comment, Customs and Border Patrol said that its “Trade Enforcement Operational Approach demonstrates how CBP is using all of its authorities to combat trade fraud.” CBP also vowed to “use all methods at its disposal—including increased bonding, enhanced targeting and inspection of high-risk imports, and swift and thorough review of allegations to ensure a fair and competitive trade environment.”

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Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Ia., introduced legislation in December 2024 to hold China accountable for tariff evasion. The bill would establish a task force to handle trade-related crimes and require the attorney general to submit an annual report on the Justice Department’s efforts to tackle such crimes.

“By strengthening the Trump’s DOJ’s ability to detect and prosecute international trade crimes, my bipartisan bill will ensure that Communist China and other perpetrators are criminally liable for illicit activity and that penalties are enforced,” Rep. Hinson said when introducing the legislation.

When speaking to Fox Business, Rep. Hinson emphasized the need for legislation to give the Justice Department the “tools” to protect Americans from Chinese threats and bolster the U.S. economy.

February 13, 2025
5-figure ad buy urges states to crack down as China floods market with illicit vapes: ‘Trump was right’

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FIRST ON FOX: The Protecting America Initiative (PAI), a Trump-aligned anti-CCP group, has launched a five-figure ad encouraging states to crack down against what they call illicit Chinese vapes in order to counter the communist country’s growing influence in the United States.

“It’s hip, it’s cool, but look closely on the box,” the new ad from PAI, which describes itself as a coalition of concerned public policy experts dedicated to combating China’s influence, starts out.

“It says, right there, made in China. New data shows the market is being flooded with unregulated e-cigarettes. Most vape products are made in China, and they’re not always regulated. They’re getting these products from China, where they can be tainted with God knows what. It’s been a struggle to keep illegal e-cigarettes from reaching young people.”

PAI says the ad is meant to remind viewers that “Trump in 2019 was right about the dangers of illicit Chinese vapes and of Biden’s failure to protect Americans from these unregulated illicit products.”

VAPING ADVOCATE WARNS DEM CRACKDOWN ON ‘COMMON SENSE’ TOBACCO ALTERNATIVES COULD BACKFIRE IN SWING STATES

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left and President Donald Trump. (Pedro Pardo – Pool/Getty Images | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“You watch prohibition, you look at, you know, with the alcohol, if you don’t give it to them, it’s going to come here illegally. But instead of legitimate companies, good companies, making something that’s safe, they’re going to be selling stuff on a street corner that could be horrible,” Trump is quoted as saying in the ad.

The ad will run on digital platforms in targeted markets across the country.

TRUMP ADMIN’S FDA WITHDRAWS PROPOSED FEDERAL RULE TO BAN MENTHOL CIGARETTES

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok on Nov. 19, 2022. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images)

“Despite the warnings, Biden failed and China won,” the ad states. “Trump predicted this.”

“States are taking action against illicit Chinese vapes. More state leaders can act now to fight with Trump against illicit Chinese vapes.”

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Then-former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Although the rate of youth smoking cigarettes is now at an all-time low, according to the CDC, youth usage of Chinese vapes has increased dramatically since 2020.

February 10, 2025
DeepSeek concerns prompt GOP lawmaker’s moves to crack down on China exports

FIRST ON FOX: A top House Republican is moving to make it harder for China to procure advanced U.S. technology amid longstanding concerns about intellectual property theft by Beijing.

“My proposed legislation will establish safeguards to prevent future shocks like China’s development of DeepSeek using American technology. In addition to the chips China reportedly stockpiled, it appears China used chips under the current export control threshold to achieve this AI breakthrough,” House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., told Fox News Digital.

“This scenario should be a wakeup call — if you give the CCP an inch, it will take a mile. The CCP’s craftiness is coupled with a total disregard for legal and security considerations. We already know that the CCP uses technology to oppress its own citizens and to commit acts of espionage and sabotage against the United States, including major cyberattacks.”

SCOOP: KEY CONSERVATIVE CAUCUS DRAWS RED LINE ON HOUSE BUDGET PLAN

U.S. officials are concerned about DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, led by Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Getty Images | iStock)

DeepSeek is an artificial intelligence (AI) software company based in Hangzhou, China. Its AI chatbot is known to be similar to ChatGPT, which was made by California-based OpenAI.

DeepSeek’s release of the new high-profile AI model that costs less to run than existing models like those of Meta and OpenAI sent a chill through U.S. markets.

BLACK CAUCUS CHAIR ACCUSES TRUMP OF ‘PURGE’ OF ‘MINORITY’ FEDERAL WORKERS

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., unveiled a bill to crack down on China’s ability to get U.S. tech. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Its popularity in U.S. app stores has also renewed concerns about Chinese companies collecting American data, as well as the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) censorship practices.

The surprise DeepSeek release also displayed how China’s economic competitiveness has far outpaced the ability of U.S. business leaders and lawmakers to agree on what to do about it.

The U.S. Commerce Department is now looking into whether DeepSeek used chips that were banned from entering China via sanctions, Reuters reported.

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Green’s bill would put export controls on certain national interest technology and intellectual property to China.

It would also call for sanctions against foreign actors who sell or purchase such items to and from China, as well as Chinese entities who knowingly use items covered by the export controls.

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to [email protected]

February 7, 2025
Trump must dump ‘One China’ policy and recognize ‘free’ Taiwan, House Republicans say

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FIRST ON FOX: Two dozen House Republicans from across the political spectrum are backing a resolution to formally recognize Taiwan – a break from current U.S. policy that would rankle leaders in Beijing.

The resolution, put forth by Reps. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., and Scott Perry, R-Pa., would encourage President Donald Trump to abandon the U.S.’s longstanding ‘One China’ Policy and formally recognize Taiwan as autonomous.

“Taiwan has never been under the control of the People’s Republic of China – not even for a single day. It is a free, democratic, and independent nation, and it is past time for U.S. policy to reflect this undeniable objective truth,” Tiffany said in a statement.

The resolution implores Trump to support Taiwan’s entry into international trade organizations and negotiate a bilateral U.S.-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement.

US FLIES JOINT PATROL WITH THE PHILIPPINES NEAR SHOAL REGION GUARDED BY CHINA

Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to welcome any attempt by the U.S. to recognize Taiwan. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images)

The U.S. had established diplomatic relations with Taiwan until 1979, when the late President Jimmy Carter cut off formal ties with Taipei and recognized the Communist regime in Beijing.

Congress then passed the Taiwan Relations Act, which created legal authority for unofficial relations with Taiwan and continued military aid.

‘THIS IS ABOUT FENTANYL’: TARIFFS ARE CRUCIAL TO COMBATING ‘DRUG WAR,’ TRUMP AND CABINET OFFICIALS SAY

The resolution, put forth by Reps. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., and Scott Perry, R-Pa., would encourage President Donald Trump to abandon the U.S.’s longstanding ‘One China’ Policy and formally recognize Taiwan as autonomous. (Eryk Michael Smith)

Currently, only 12 independent countries recognize the Taipei government. A change in U.S. policy would likely be viewed as a threat by Beijing. When the U.S. sent a military aid package to Taiwan in December, China’s foreign ministry warned Washington was “playing with fire” and called for a stop to “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

U.S. military analysts have projected 2027 as the year by which China would be fully equipped for a military invasion of Taiwan. And the U.S. has long followed a policy of refusing to say whether it would come to the island’s defense under such a scenario.

Trump slapped an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese goods last week, and China responded in kind with its own export levies. At the same time, Trump has demanded the U.S. take over the Panama Canal to counter Chinese influence.

READ THE HOUSE RESOLUTION BELOW. APP USERS: CLICK HERE

But Trump’s comments on the campaign trail suggest that he would not be willing to put boots on the ground to face another global superpower in defense of a tiny island democracy.

“I think Taiwan should pay us for defense,” Trump told Bloomberg Businessweek in June.

US FLIES JOINT PATROL WITH THE PHILIPPINES NEAR SHOAL REGION GUARDED BY CHINA

Trump has previously said that Taiwan should pay the U.S. to be defended from Chinese aggression. (Former President Trump and the flag of Taiwan. Credit: Trump photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images | Taiwan flag photo by Jose Lopes Amaral/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“You know, we’re no different than an insurance company. Taiwan doesn’t give us anything,” he added.

Taiwan and China separated amid civil war in 1949 and China says it is determined to bring the island under its control by force if necessary. China is increasingly encroaching in the region in recent days with military activity in the Taiwan straits.

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The legislation has both interventionist and America First cosponsors, including Reps. Lauren Boebert, Colo., Carlos Gimenez, Fla., Andy Ogles, Tenn., and Kat Cammack, Fla.

February 6, 2025
Education bill would require parental notification to ‘TRACE’ foreign funding of curriculum as China looks on

EXCLUSIVE: Republican lawmakers will be putting forward a bill requiring parental notification of any foreign funding sources connected to their child’s public K-12 curriculum.

House Education Committee members Aaron Bean, R–Fla., and Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., will put forward the TRACE Act – or Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education.

It will amend the Elementary & Secondary Education Act of 1965 to make such parental notification a condition of federal funding allocation.

The issue has come to the fore in recent years, as education officials in states like Oklahoma warn against Chinese Communist Party-linked Confucius Classrooms and other foreign-funded or globally-based initiatives.

POMPEO LABELS TEACHERS UNION BOSS ‘AMONG THE MOST DANGEROUS PEOPLE’ IN THE US

The TRACE Act would require schools to provide on an approximately monthly basis any education materials provided by, using funds received by or purchased from foreign governments.

The bill will also require that parents have the right to know about any contract or financial transaction between a foreign country and their child’s school.

Bean, who also leads the Congressional DOGE Caucus, forwarded a similar bill in 2024, but Republicans now hold full control of Congress – which they did not at the time.

“American schools are for education, not espionage. We cannot allow our students – the future of our great nation – to be corrupted by foreign adversaries who are systematically and aggressively attempting to influence our nation’s K-12 schools,” Bean told Fox News Digital.

“Yet, this is what happens when our institutions of learning accept the Trojan horse of foreign funding.”

CHINESE INFLUENCE IN SCHOOLS LEADS TO GROWN CONCERNS, OKLAHOMA OFFICIAL SAYS

Mackenzie, who just took office after a narrow but crucial GOP upset over Democrat Susan Wild in his Lehigh Valley district, called the TRACE Act “essential for safeguarding America’s children and schools against foreign influence.”

“Parents have a fundamental right to know what’s happening in their children’s classrooms, especially in cases where foreign governments are funding curricular materials or compensating school personnel,” Mackenzie said.

“By empowering parents to demand transparency and accountability, the TRACE Act will ensure that our children’s education remains free from external influence,” the Pennsylvanian added.

Bean said parents deserve to know who is funding the materials used to educate their children and further warned against potential subtle indoctrination of America’s youth.

Oklahoma’s top elected education official had called for congressional action in 2023 to blunt foreign influence in schools – and further pledged to be on the front lines of pushing back against untoward interference in children’s education.

State Superintendent of Education Ryan Walters told Fox News Digital in June that foreign influence over education is a national security risk – especially when it comes without the knowledge of children or their parents.

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He challenged his state’s largest school district, alleging funding for Confucius Classrooms had been “hidden” from parents and that it was “actually the Chinese Communist Party that was funding a nonprofit that was working directly in the school.”

In a statement to Fox News at the time, Tulsa Public Schools said the district “has no Confucius classroom programs in its schools.” In a report from The Oklahoman, the district reportedly funded a professional development class for a Chinese language teacher at one high school, which was facilitated through a Confucius Classroom Coordination Office at an outside, Texas-based organization.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., then chair of the House Education Committee, said it is clear “significant investments” from foreign nations are “flowing into America’s K-12 schools [and] possibly impacting decisions regarding personnel or curriculum.”

Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Wis., took over for Foxx as chair of that committee in January.

Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.

He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.

Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.

Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

February 6, 2025
USPS reverses decision to suspend inbound packages from China, Hong Kong

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., breaks down how President Donald Trump’s tariff policies are addressing the fentanyl crisis and explains his subpoena for information on the COVID vaccine on ‘The Bottom Line.’

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on Wednesday said it will accept inbound mail and packages from China and Hong Kong, reversing a decision made hours earlier.

“The USPS and Customs and Border Protection are working closely together to implement an efficient collection mechanism for the new China tariffs to ensure the least disruption to package delivery,” USPS said in a statement.

The reversal came less than 24 hours after the agency temporarily suspended international package acceptance of inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong Posts “until further notice.”

USPS SUSPENDS INBOUND PACKAGES FROM CHINA, HONG KONG POSTS

The Tuesday package suspension announcement came as China issued retaliatory tariffs on select American imports.

The Chinese government said it would take “necessary countermeasures” in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing a 10% tariff on Chinese imports to address what the White House says is the synthetic opioid supply chain in China. Trump temporarily paused planned tariffs on Mexico and Canada for 30 days to give both nations time to reach a deal with the U.S. to better secure its northern and southern borders.

A U.S. Postal Service truck is used to deliver mail on Sept. 12, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images / Getty Images)

The order accused the Chinese Communist Party of having “subsidized and otherwise incentivized” Chinese chemical companies to export fentanyl and related precursor chemicals that are used to produce synthetic opioids sold illicitly in the U.S.

HOW TRUMP’S TARIFFS CLOSED THE LOOPHOLE USED BY CHINESE RETAILERS

“The orders make clear that the flow of contraband drugs like fentanyl to the United States, through illicit distribution networks, has created a national emergency, including a public health crisis. Chinese officials have failed to take the actions necessary to stem the flow of precursor chemicals to known criminal cartels and shut down money laundering by transnational criminal organizations,” the White House said on Saturday.

The investigation resulted in the seizure of about 32,000 fentanyl pills with a street value of $1 million. (NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office / Fox News)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The People’s Republic of China said in a statement that “the U.S.’s tariff hikes “severely violate” the World Trade Organization rules and that this “move cannot solve the U.S.’s problems at home and more importantly, does not benefit either side, still less the world.”

VOTERS REJECT TRUMP’S TARIFF PUSH; MOST BELIEVE POLICY WILL HURT ECONOMY

After China banned the production of fentanyl in 2019, China-based companies started to produce and sell fentanyl precursors, which are the ingredients needed to manufacture the drug, according to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

At least two cartels in Mexico – the Sinaloa cartel based in Sinaloa and cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación based in Jalisco – receive fentanyl precursors and synthetic opioids directly from China or from intermediaries in the U.S., according to the DEA. They maintain distribution hubs in various cities across the U.S. and control smuggling corridors into the country, the agency said.

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Fentanyl can be 50 times more potent than heroin in small amounts. Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids – primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl – rose to 73,838 in 2022, according to the latest data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

February 5, 2025