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Palmer-James-foreign-policy-staff-portraits-202226

James Palmer

Deputy Editor [email protected]

James Palmer is a deputy editor at Foreign Policy and writes FP’s weekly China Brief newsletter. Palmer is the author of The Bloody White Baron: The Extraordinary Story of the Russian Nobleman Who Became the Last Khan of Mongolia and The Death of Mao: The Tangshan Earthquake and the Birth of the New China. He won the Shiva Naipaul prize for travel writing in 2003.

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Articles by James Palmer
A magazine stand is seen against the skyline of the Central Business District in Beijing.
A magazine stand is seen against the skyline of the Central Business District in Beijing.

Xi Sends Message to China’s Private Sector

China Brief
James Palmer
A man in a black T-shirt, black joggers, and an orange construction hat in the middle of a warehouse aisle between rows of a stainless steel sheets rolled up and packaged in bright blue plastic. The claw of a machine lifts one of the rolls overhead as he lifts his head to watch.
A man in a black T-shirt, black joggers, and an orange construction hat in the middle of a warehouse aisle between rows of a stainless steel sheets rolled up and packaged in bright blue plastic. The claw of a machine lifts one of the rolls overhead as he lifts his head to watch.

What Trump’s Steel Tariffs Mean for China

China Brief
James Palmer
An aerial view shows containers at the port in Nanjing, China.
An aerial view shows containers at the port in Nanjing, China.

China Responds to Trump’s Tariffs With Caution

China Brief
James Palmer
A woman looks at her phone while standing in front of a screen bearing the logo of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek.
A woman looks at her phone while standing in front of a screen bearing the logo of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek.

DeepSeek Doesn’t Signal an AI Space Race

China Brief
James Palmer
A hand holds an iPhone that displayed a message from TikTok saying "Welcome back."
A hand holds an iPhone that displayed a message from TikTok saying "Welcome back."

TikTok’s Future Is Up to the CCP

Analysis
James Palmer
A hand holds an iPhone that displayed a message from TikTok saying "Welcome back."
A hand holds an iPhone that displayed a message from TikTok saying "Welcome back."

TikTok Debate Could Stir White House Clash

China Brief
James Palmer
Supporters of TikTok livestream in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Jan. 10.
Supporters of TikTok livestream in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Jan. 10.

Can Trump Strike a Deal Over TikTok?

China Brief
James Palmer
U.S. President Joe Biden looks at his phone as he leaves the White House on Aug. 16, 2024.
U.S. President Joe Biden looks at his phone as he leaves the White House on Aug. 16, 2024.

Salt Typhoon Stirs Panic in Washington

China Brief
James Palmer
Cars wait to be loaded onto ships for export in Lianyungang, China, on Dec. 12.
Cars wait to be loaded onto ships for export in Lianyungang, China, on Dec. 12.

5 Predictions for China in 2025

China Brief
James Palmer
Two people sit on the steps in front of a red door in Beijing. Above them is the Chinese flag.
Two people sit on the steps in front of a red door in Beijing. Above them is the Chinese flag.

China Is Still Suffering an Economic Hangover

5 Top Reads
James Palmer
Commuters walk by office towers under construction during rush hour in Beijing on Oct. 18.
Commuters walk by office towers under construction during rush hour in Beijing on Oct. 18.

China’s Year in Review

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9, 2017.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9, 2017.

What Trump’s Personalized Presidency Means for China

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 22, 2023.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 22, 2023.

China Needs a New Approach in Syria

China Brief
James Palmer
Military delegates walk together as they arrive at the closing session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing on March 11.
Military delegates walk together as they arrive at the closing session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing on March 11.

Another Chinese Military Official Under Fire

China Brief
James Palmer
Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on Dec. 4, after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law.
Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on Dec. 4, after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law.

How South Koreans Rejected Martial Law

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James Palmer
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