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Happy Tuesday.
Here’s today’s ITK Daily.
To be ITK, know this:
Bloomberg: Xi’s unexplained G20 snub erodes image as global statesman
+ Chinese leader will miss G20 summit for first time ever
+ His absence comes as China and India clash over border dispute
+ Premier Li Qiang will represent China
China’s leader looks set to skip G20 summit in snub to India: NYT reports Xi Jinping has never missed the annual Group of 20 gathering since taking power in 2012. Beijing would not explain his apparent decision to forgo the event in New Delhi.
Mike Gallagher: Americans are unwittingly financing the CCP. It has to stop. Link
FT: China’s spy agency blasts US for ‘engagement and containment’ approach: Beijing’s state security ministry hints possible meeting between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in November is at risk. Link
Bloomberg: Biden’s strategy toward China is ‘doomed to fail,’ Beijing says
+ Criticism comes barely a week since Raimondo’s visit to China
+ China’s security ministry urges Washington to show sincerity
Chinese gate-crashers at US bases spark espionage concerns: WSJ reports Washington has tracked about 100 incidents involving Chinese nationals trying to access American military and other installations.
Chinese spies ‘sent to sensitive US sites masquerading as tourists’: The Times reports Xi has already forestalled hopes for a meeting with President Biden by refusing to attend the G20 summit.
NYT: Faced with evolving threats, US Navy struggles to change: A new generation of cheaper and more flexible vessels could be vital in any conflict with China, but the Navy remains lashed to big shipbuilding programs driven by tradition, political influence, and jobs. Link
China is redefining its borders with its neighbors, including Russia: Le Monde reports on August 28, the publication of the 2023 edition of the 'National Map of China' provoked outraged reactions in India, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
FT: Xi Jinping puts China’s security ahead of tackling its economic woes: Leadership wary of enacting stimulus that adds to government debt or risks financial instability. Link
WSJ: Italy seeks to leave China’s Belt and Road Initiative—without angering Beijing: Rome’s disappointment with the infrastructure accord comes as Western skepticism grows about China’s global economic ambitions. Link
NYT: Kim Jong-un and Putin plan to meet in Russia to discuss weapons: Russia seeks more weaponry for its war in Ukraine, and a North Korean delegation recently traveled to Russia by train to plan for Kim’s visit this month, officials say. Link
Kim Jong Un to meet with Putin in Russia, US official says; Kremlin to stay out of grain deal: WP reports a US official told The Washington Post that President Vladimir Putin plans to welcome North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to Russia this month.
DW: What's behind North Korea's 'nuclear attack' drills? Pyongyang has carried out a series of unprecedented military drills and threatened to use nuclear weapons in an invasion of South Korea. It's partly encouraged by closer alliances with Russia and China, experts say. Link
‘Where is the money?’ Military graft becomes a headache for Ukraine: NYT reports the removal of the defense minister highlights the enduring challenge of corruption in Ukraine, which has emerged as a rare area of criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership.
Le Monde: The fall of a minister and an oligarch in Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed his defense minister Oleksii Reznikov on Sunday after a series of corruption scandals. On Saturday, Ihor Kolomoisky, who launched the current president's political career, was taken into custody on charges of fraud and money laundering. Link
Arnaud Leparmentier: The GDP gap between Europe and the United States is now 80%: As after every crisis, Europe has been stalling since COVID-19. Link
Le Monde: French Foreign Minister Colonna: 'Françafrique died a long time ago': In an interview with Le Monde, Catherine Colonna discusses relations between Paris and African countries, several of which have recently experienced coups. She explains France's decision to keep its ambassador posted in Niger even after the junta ordered him to leave. Link
Le Monde: Africa's solutions to climate change: Kenya, which generates 90% of its electricity from renewables, is hosting Africa's first climate summit. Link
NYT: Clean energy projects are booming everywhere. except in poor nations. A big obstacle is the lack of loans, a subject of intense disagreement between richer and poorer countries. But in Congo, a hard-fought solar investment shows a possible path forward. Link
Tej Parikh: Why isn’t Canada an economic giant? The North American nation has vast potential, yet underperforms on the global stage. Link
Nikki Haley calls on ageing US leaders to ‘step away’ from power: FT reports the Republican presidential hopeful also says Americans would not vote for Trump if he were convicted.
Biden’s age, economic worries endanger re-election in 2024, WSJ poll finds: WSJ reports voters overwhelmingly think President Biden is too old to run for re-election and give him low marks for handling the economy and other issues.
Guardian: Biographer says it wouldn’t be ‘total shock’ if Biden drops out of 2024 race: Franklin Foer, author of the biography of the president, makes comments amid widespread questions about Biden’s age and competency. Link
The Times: Biden sets up impeachment war room as hardline Republicans press for inquiry
Reuters: Biden says he thinks US auto workers' strike unlikely to happen
Auto strike looms, threatening to shut Detroit’s Big 3: NYT reports with their contract expiring September 14, the United Auto Workers and the companies are far apart in talks. A walkout could take a big economic toll.
FC: How Michigan is preparing for an electric vehicle future: Long home to the American automobile industry, the state is adopting innovative tactics to fill more than 300,000 EV jobs with homegrown talent. Link
WSJ: EVs elbow out internet titans as China’s business darling: Investors and talent pile into China’s EV and battery industries, increasingly engines of country’s growth. Link
BMW chief warns EU combustion engines ban is stoking price war with Chinese rivals: FT reports Zipse sees ‘imminent risk’ to European makers of cheaper cars vying against brands such as BYD.
Munich auto show highlights China's presence in luxury EV race: Nikkei reports the Geely-backed Polestar and BYD eager to take on established BMW and Audi.
VinFast CEO unfazed by stock volatility, sees potential in ASEAN: Nikkei reports Thuy Le touts Southeast Asia's EV strengths to regional business leaders.
FT: Why the electric vehicle battery race needs a recycling revolution: Uncertainty over which cells will power tomorrow’s cars among factors complicating efforts to reuse raw materials. Link
DW: What you need to know about solid-state batteries: Big companies and car manufacturers like Samsung and Toyota are betting big on solid-state batteries. Here's how they work and why we need them. Link
WSJ: This company created a return-to-office plan that employees actually like: JM Smucker is ordering workers to be at its Ohio headquarters for 22 ‘core’ weeks. It is a strategy that may resolve the tug-of-war over how we work. Link
The Times: How Lego built its empire — and kept fans hooked: Despite a drop in profits, Denmark’s toy powerhouse is still enthralling children and adults alike. Link
Dave Trott: Rhetoric is sticky advertising Link
Tate Ryan-Mosley: How one elite university is approaching ChatGPT this school year: Why Yale never considered banning the technology. Link
AD: Hermès taps architect Lina Ghotmeh to create the saddle workshop of the future: The French region of Normandy is home to the company’s 21-century atelier. Link
Vox: TikTok has transformed the concert experience: Fans are creating new concert traditions for a new age. Link
WSJ: America is becoming a nation of early birds: Dinner parties at 5 pm? More consumers of all ages are sliding activities back. Night owls wonder where the action is. Link
NYT: Priscilla Presley’s emotional reaction to Sofia Coppola’s new Elvis film: The story of her life with the rock star lacks major musical moments because the singer’s estate wouldn’t support the warts-and-all treatment. Link
Le Monde: A Venice Film Festival under the influence of platforms: The American contingent includes several films produced by Netflix or Amazon, such as 'Ferrari,' 'Maestro' and 'The Killer.' But their promotion has been affected by the Hollywood actors' strike. Link
Le Monde: Africa, American basketball's new playing field: Since its creation in 1946, the National Basketball Association has become both an American powerhouse and a global brand. In Africa, where it established itself 20 years ago, it is developing an ecosystem that contributes to the continent's economy while providing it access to a pool of exceptional athletes. Link
Bloomberg: Is Carlos Alcaraz the next billion-dollar tennis player? At the US Open, the young Wimbledon champion will make his case to succeed Federer, Nadal and Djokovic—and Serena—as the sport’s next big star. Link
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
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