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China vs. U.S. Favorability: The Global Shift
Who is Winning the "Global Popularity" War?
Hi friend,
Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 10!
In this episode, Doug Guthrie is joined by David to discuss the critical state of U.S.-China relations. As Gallup releases its most recent Global Approval Ratings in April 2026, China’s global approval surpass that of the U.S for the first time. This unprecedented rating comes at a time when President Trump’s highly anticipated visit to Beijing is delayed by five weeks due to conflicts in the Middle East and a different leader made a significant move: Apple CEO Tim Cook visited China to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary and reinforce a vital partnership.
We explore why the current narrative of “decoupling” is often at odds with economic reality. With a trillion-dollar trade surplus and a manufacturing supply chain that spans over 1,000+ suppliers for Apple alone, China remains an indispensable partner for the world’s largest companies.
Expect to learn: Why President Trump’s branding of U.S.-China relations as “The G2” was a major symbolic victory for Chinese diplomacy, Why tariffs fail when a domestic manufacturing supply chain doesn’t exist to replace Chinese production, and a fascinating look from Dubai at how the Middle East is beginning to reorient its identity toward the East.
Listen now everywhere on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Amazon Music
Timestamp
00:00 Introduction: Welcoming David and the OGL Philosophy
04:35 The Importance of Visits: From Bertrand Russell (1922) to Tim Cook
08:30 The Theory of Tariffs and the Reality of Supply Chains
09:40 The G2 Meeting: Moving from the “Kids Table” to Global Partnership
11:20 Why is Tim Cook Visiting China?
12:30 What to Expect from Trump’s Postponed May Visit to Beijing
16:16 Why Barring Chinese Automakers is a Mistake for U.S. Jobs
19:10 The TSMC Example: How Half a Trillion Dollars Investment is Transforming Arizona
22:00 Global Approval Ratings: Why China is Winning the Favorability War
25:00 The Global South: BRICS, Belt and Road, and “Going Out”
27:40 Perspectives from Dubai: Is the Middle East becoming “Western Asia”?
29:00 Final Thoughts: Navigating a Critical Time in Global Relations
View all episodes
By OGLWho is Winning the "Global Popularity" War?
Hi friend,
Welcome to On The Ground in China Episode 10!
In this episode, Doug Guthrie is joined by David to discuss the critical state of U.S.-China relations. As Gallup releases its most recent Global Approval Ratings in April 2026, China’s global approval surpass that of the U.S for the first time. This unprecedented rating comes at a time when President Trump’s highly anticipated visit to Beijing is delayed by five weeks due to conflicts in the Middle East and a different leader made a significant move: Apple CEO Tim Cook visited China to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary and reinforce a vital partnership.
We explore why the current narrative of “decoupling” is often at odds with economic reality. With a trillion-dollar trade surplus and a manufacturing supply chain that spans over 1,000+ suppliers for Apple alone, China remains an indispensable partner for the world’s largest companies.
Expect to learn: Why President Trump’s branding of U.S.-China relations as “The G2” was a major symbolic victory for Chinese diplomacy, Why tariffs fail when a domestic manufacturing supply chain doesn’t exist to replace Chinese production, and a fascinating look from Dubai at how the Middle East is beginning to reorient its identity toward the East.
Listen now everywhere on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Amazon Music
Timestamp
00:00 Introduction: Welcoming David and the OGL Philosophy
04:35 The Importance of Visits: From Bertrand Russell (1922) to Tim Cook
08:30 The Theory of Tariffs and the Reality of Supply Chains
09:40 The G2 Meeting: Moving from the “Kids Table” to Global Partnership
11:20 Why is Tim Cook Visiting China?
12:30 What to Expect from Trump’s Postponed May Visit to Beijing
16:16 Why Barring Chinese Automakers is a Mistake for U.S. Jobs
19:10 The TSMC Example: How Half a Trillion Dollars Investment is Transforming Arizona
22:00 Global Approval Ratings: Why China is Winning the Favorability War
25:00 The Global South: BRICS, Belt and Road, and “Going Out”
27:40 Perspectives from Dubai: Is the Middle East becoming “Western Asia”?
29:00 Final Thoughts: Navigating a Critical Time in Global Relations