Biden Official Worked With Chinese Influence Group To Undermine U.S. Tariff Negotiations

Following Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods, China launched an information war using American insiders. Rick Waters, a former State Department official, became a key voice promoting Beijing's narrative. Waters participated in events organized by the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), linked to the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department, which is responsible for foreign influence operations. The United Front aims to cultivate Western figures to normalize the CCP's worldview. CUSEF serves as a frontline operation, sponsoring events and partnerships to project constructive engagement while advancing Beijing's interests. Waters amplified Beijing's messaging in Western media, criticizing Trump's tariffs and portraying China as rational. Chinese state media then amplified Waters' remarks to validate their portrayal of the US. Beijing targeted America's elite class to control the narrative around trade. The CCP sought insiders willing to echo its language.