China is winning - Today, Explained Recap

Podcast: Today, Explained

Published: 2026-01-12

Duration: 26 minutes

Guests: John Zinn, Don Wineland

Summary

Despite the Trump administration's aggressive policies, China's global influence continues to grow. Cultural exports like Labubu dolls and films like Nezha 2 are helping China expand its soft power.

What Happened

In the episode 'China is winning,' the discussion begins by examining the geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, particularly under the Trump administration. John Zinn, a China expert from the Brookings Institution, explains how despite efforts to curb China's growth through tariffs and export controls, China has managed to strengthen its global standing.

Zinn outlines the key strategies China employed to counteract U.S. measures, such as leveraging rare earth elements to impact global supply chains. This approach has allowed China to amass significant leverage over time, positioning itself advantageously in diplomatic negotiations.

The conversation shifts to the economic implications of Trump's tariffs, which initially seemed poised to disrupt the Chinese economy but ultimately resulted in minimal impact. Zinn highlights how China was emotionally prepared for these economic measures and managed to navigate them effectively.

The episode also delves into China's growing cultural influence, with products like Labubu dolls and films such as Nezha 2 gaining international popularity. These cultural exports are part of a broader strategy to enhance China's soft power on the global stage.

Economist China Business and Finance Editor Don Wineland provides additional insights into China's cultural exports, noting that products like Black Myth: Wukong, based on traditional Chinese myths, have gained traction both domestically and internationally.

Wineland attributes the success of these cultural products to improved funding and a new generation of creators who have absorbed foreign ideas and cultures. He argues that this marks a shift in China's approach to cultural exports, focusing more on quality and international appeal.

The episode concludes with a look at the long-term implications of China's strategies, emphasizing that the country's focus on the long game could lead to continued growth in both hard and soft power. This strategic patience is seen as a key factor in China's ability to navigate complex international landscapes.

Key Insights

• China's strategic use of rare earth elements has allowed it to gain significant leverage in global supply chains, impacting diplomatic negotiations and countering U.S. economic measures.
• Despite the implementation of tariffs by the Trump administration, China's economy experienced minimal disruption due to its preparedness and strategic navigation of these economic challenges.
• China's cultural exports, such as Labubu dolls and films like Nezha 2, are part of a broader strategy to enhance its soft power globally, with products gaining international popularity.
• Improved funding and a new generation of creators have contributed to the success of China's cultural products like Black Myth: Wukong, which blend traditional Chinese myths with international appeal.