October 16, 2025
Why the Latest U.S.-China Tech Fight May Be the Biggest Yet
Tensions between the U.S. and China are inflamed yet again — with the tech sector in the crossfire. In the latest move, Beijing has threatened to restrict the trade of rare earth magnets and metals, which are critical for making high-tech products, from microchips to smartphones to electric vehicles. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Liza Tobin, a geopolitical risk adviser and former China director on the National Security Council, to discuss the shaky state of the U.S.-China relationship and why the coming weeks will prove pivotal.
Listen to the full interview on POLITICO Tech.
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