CHINA/ELECTION/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRADE WAR/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump’s accusation of Chinese meddling in upcoming U.S. elections marks a new phase in an escalating pressure campaign against Beijing that Washington is pursuing on multiple fronts, senior U.S. officials said on Thursday [9-27-18]. National security adviser John Bolton, long considered a China hawk, has played a key role in persuading Trump to take a tougher approach toward Beijing that goes beyond the bitter trade war between the world’s two biggest economies and includes disputes such as cyber activities, Taiwan and the South China Sea, two officials told Reuters. While the strategy is still taking shape, the push against China is expected to bring further sharp U.S. rhetoric and unspecified policy actions in coming weeks, according to one of the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The White House did not address Reuters questions on these points.”
–Matt Spetalnick, David Brunnstrom, “Trump’s election meddling charge against China marks U.S. pressure campaign,” Reuters, September 27, 2018 3:16 pm