The Trivium China Podcast

Trivium China

Trivium China is an analysis firm that specializes in monitoring Chinese government policy. From our offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and DC, we break down Beijing's latest moves on the economy, technology, energy, climate, and agriculture.

  1. FEB 6

    Ep 55 - Can US-China relations remain a calm amidst the geopolitical storm?

    US-China bilateral relations have, surprisingly, been an anchor of calm amidst a sea of geopolitical uncertainty in the opening innings of 2026. And increasingly, it looks like the seemingly fragile truce between the two countries will prove more resilient that it initially seemed – back when US President Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a trade war détente in November.To discuss the state of play – and where things might be going – Trivium China pod host Andrew Polk is joined this week by Joe Mazur (Head of Geopolitical Research) and Even Pay (Head of Ag and Trade Policy Research). The trio discuss: The notable shift in tone and approach from the Trump administration toward ChinaThe latest Xi-Trump call, which took place this weekThe upcoming visit to China by Donald Trump, which is set for AprilWhether America’s more aggressive policy in the Western Hemisphere is hurting or helping China’s interests in the regionThen Andrew and Even go deep on the most important domestic policy development of the week, the release of the 2026 No. 1 Document, which outlines ag policy priorities for the year. They touch on: Why ag and rural policies are so important to Party leadersThe shift toward boosting efficiency and productivity in the ag sector – as part of Xi’s wider promotion of New Quality Productive ForcesRecent adjustments to ag and rural policy funding arrangements, and what they might mean for China’s non-urban areas

    1h 7m
  2. 12/19/2025

    Ep 51 - Reordering global supply chains: licenses, leverage, and our strategic look-ahead

    As the new year approaches, governments, corporations, and investors alike are asking: what will critical material supply chains look like in the year to come? In this podcast, Trivium Co-founder Andrew Polk and Cory Combs, Head of Critical Mineral and Supply Chain Research, discuss where global supply chains and diversification efforts stand today – and how they are likely to shape up in 2026. Starting from the latest need-to-know specifics and working up to the broader strategic takes from Team Trivium, the lads discuss: What's going on with China's general licenses and export trendsTrends and issues in US rare earth and broader critical mineral diversification efforts – including our take on the brand new international "Pax Silica" initiativeHow the rest of the world is responding to all this, both reactively and proactivelyHow China is responding to global diversification efforts – including where it is and is not pushing back, and whyPutting it all together, they take a stab at framing the bigger strategic issues ahead. We've all heard plenty about the tactics of supply chain decoupling – e.g., China's from US chips and Dutch lithography machines, and the US's from China's processed critical mineralsBut this all begs key questions, like: What is a desirable end state for both sides? And what does "security" actually look like? (Hint: it's not full decoupling.)Despite the fierce problems at hand, the gents land on a surprisingly optimistic vision of where US-China relations could land in the next few years – a happy note on which to enter the holidays after a tumultuous year.

    54 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Trivium China is an analysis firm that specializes in monitoring Chinese government policy. From our offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and DC, we break down Beijing's latest moves on the economy, technology, energy, climate, and agriculture.

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