In its first months, the second Trump administration has disrupted the alliances, institutions, and norms that have shaped U.S. foreign policy for decades — imposing tariffs on nearly every trading partner, downplaying military commitments, and effectively dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. As the United States steps back from a global order it largely built, China is attempting to fill the void.
Steven W. Lewis, director of the Baker Institute China Studies Program, joined “Baker Briefing” to discuss what China’s global soft power campaign looks like and how successful it’s proven thus far.
This conversation was recorded on May 13, 2025.
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A full transcript of this episode is available here. This transcript was AI-generated and has not been through editorial review.
Hosted by David M. Satterfield, the “Baker Briefing” podcast delivers timely analysis on breaking policy developments and other critical policy issues of the day in conversations with experts at the Baker Institute. New episodes are released weekly.
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