Tobita Chow
@tobitac.bsky.social
US-China, climate, politics, imperialism and world economy
Chicagoland | immigrant | he/him
Chicagoland | immigrant | he/him
Reposted by Tobita Chow
“.. Japanese officials said the message was worrying: the president didn’t want friction over Taiwan to endanger a detente reached last month with Xi, which includes a promise to buy more agricultural products from American farmers ..”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
November 26, 2025 at 11:42 PM
“.. Japanese officials said the message was worrying: the president didn’t want friction over Taiwan to endanger a detente reached last month with Xi, which includes a promise to buy more agricultural products from American farmers ..”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Reposted by Tobita Chow
It's not just that the United States has stopped trying to promote liberal democratic ideas internationally. It's that the United States is actively trying to promote the contrary. It's trying to turn more countries into Hungary.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
U.S. to Press Europe and Other Allies on ‘Mass Migration,’ Document Says
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:06 AM
It's not just that the United States has stopped trying to promote liberal democratic ideas internationally. It's that the United States is actively trying to promote the contrary. It's trying to turn more countries into Hungary.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by Tobita Chow
NEW: The New York Times got a State Dept. cable in which Rubio orders diplomats in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to press for immigration limits and cite crime. They’re also told to report on governments that are pro-immigration. Our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
U.S. to Press Europe and Other Allies on ‘Mass Migration,’ Document Says
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:28 PM
NEW: The New York Times got a State Dept. cable in which Rubio orders diplomats in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to press for immigration limits and cite crime. They’re also told to report on governments that are pro-immigration. Our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by Tobita Chow
China is among parties interested in bidding to build two new ports on the Panama Canal, its administrator said Tuesday, despite U.S. talk of retaking control of the vital trade route.
China Likely to Bid on Building New Panama Canal Ports
China is among parties interested in bidding to build two new ports on the Panama Canal, its administrator said Tuesday, despite U.S. talk of retaking control of the vital trade route. U.S. President ...
chinaglobalsouth.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:37 AM
China is among parties interested in bidding to build two new ports on the Panama Canal, its administrator said Tuesday, despite U.S. talk of retaking control of the vital trade route.
Reposted by Tobita Chow
National Guard soldiers didn't sign up to be deployed as local police indefinitely as part of someone else's political stunt.
They're not set up to be local police, they never should have been deployed.
They're not set up to be local police, they never should have been deployed.
November 26, 2025 at 9:01 PM
National Guard soldiers didn't sign up to be deployed as local police indefinitely as part of someone else's political stunt.
They're not set up to be local police, they never should have been deployed.
They're not set up to be local police, they never should have been deployed.
Reposted by Tobita Chow
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two National Guard members have been shot in Washington, D.C., and their condition isn't known, AP source says.
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two National Guard members have been shot in Washington, D.C., and their condition isn't known, AP source says.
Reposted by Tobita Chow
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
Reposted by Tobita Chow
The Jumbo Floating Restaurant fire in 1971 (featured in the Noble House mini series starring Peirce Brosnan) was one of the worst fires in Hong Kongs history, completely reforming fire safety in the city after leaving 34 dead.
At least 34 people have now died in the Tai Po fire.
At least 34 people have now died in the Tai Po fire.
Online Hong Kongers are saying that the management was cutting massive corners in the renovation, there was no fireproofing around the scaffolding, and workers were openly smoking.
There's a big reddit thread on r/hongkong
There's a big reddit thread on r/hongkong
November 26, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The Jumbo Floating Restaurant fire in 1971 (featured in the Noble House mini series starring Peirce Brosnan) was one of the worst fires in Hong Kongs history, completely reforming fire safety in the city after leaving 34 dead.
At least 34 people have now died in the Tai Po fire.
At least 34 people have now died in the Tai Po fire.
Reposted by Tobita Chow
The leaks from Tokyo begin -- Trump, contrary to reports, was not 'mediating' between China and Japan. He said nothing about Taiwan to Takaichi other than briefing her on what Xi told him. Nervousness in Tokyo rising.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Amid fight with China, Japan wary of where Trump stands | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
U.S. President Donald Trump did not convey any concerns about the current Japan-China feud in a telephone call with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Nov. 25, sources said.
www.asahi.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The leaks from Tokyo begin -- Trump, contrary to reports, was not 'mediating' between China and Japan. He said nothing about Taiwan to Takaichi other than briefing her on what Xi told him. Nervousness in Tokyo rising.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
“Several companies have begun selling their crypto stockpiles in an effort to fund share buybacks and shore up their stock prices, in effect putting the crypto treasury model into reverse.”
Nice
on.ft.com/4ilBq9z
Nice
on.ft.com/4ilBq9z
Crypto hoarders dump tokens as shares tumble
‘Digital asset treasury’ craze sours amid $1tn rout in cryptocurrency market
on.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:03 PM
“Several companies have begun selling their crypto stockpiles in an effort to fund share buybacks and shore up their stock prices, in effect putting the crypto treasury model into reverse.”
Nice
on.ft.com/4ilBq9z
Nice
on.ft.com/4ilBq9z
Reposted by Tobita Chow
When Xi raises Taiwan forcefully, Trump leaves it out of his readout.
1. Trump does NOT want Taiwan to define 🇺🇸–🇨🇳 relations.
He wants trade, deals, optics, and political wins.
2. He does not want to be boxed in by allies’ expectations.
Especially Japan’s new security posture under Takaichi.
1. Trump does NOT want Taiwan to define 🇺🇸–🇨🇳 relations.
He wants trade, deals, optics, and political wins.
2. He does not want to be boxed in by allies’ expectations.
Especially Japan’s new security posture under Takaichi.
November 24, 2025 at 11:13 PM
When Xi raises Taiwan forcefully, Trump leaves it out of his readout.
1. Trump does NOT want Taiwan to define 🇺🇸–🇨🇳 relations.
He wants trade, deals, optics, and political wins.
2. He does not want to be boxed in by allies’ expectations.
Especially Japan’s new security posture under Takaichi.
1. Trump does NOT want Taiwan to define 🇺🇸–🇨🇳 relations.
He wants trade, deals, optics, and political wins.
2. He does not want to be boxed in by allies’ expectations.
Especially Japan’s new security posture under Takaichi.
Reposted by Tobita Chow
An important contrast from @polgreen.bsky.social, calling into question basic assumptions driving the US foreign policy establishment.
But instead of self-reflection, we’ve mostly seen denial, defensiveness, and compensatory fantasies of geopolitical bloc formation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/o...
But instead of self-reflection, we’ve mostly seen denial, defensiveness, and compensatory fantasies of geopolitical bloc formation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/o...
November 21, 2025 at 10:54 PM
An important contrast from @polgreen.bsky.social, calling into question basic assumptions driving the US foreign policy establishment.
But instead of self-reflection, we’ve mostly seen denial, defensiveness, and compensatory fantasies of geopolitical bloc formation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/o...
But instead of self-reflection, we’ve mostly seen denial, defensiveness, and compensatory fantasies of geopolitical bloc formation.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/o...
Reposted by Tobita Chow
Last week Yoram Hazony, far-right Israeli theorist & leader of National Conservatism, sat down with NYT columnist Ross Douthat to explain why he was surprised there's now an antisemitism crisis in the MAGA movement. Nobody else was surprised. My latest: bit.ly/HazonyAntisemitism
November 24, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Last week Yoram Hazony, far-right Israeli theorist & leader of National Conservatism, sat down with NYT columnist Ross Douthat to explain why he was surprised there's now an antisemitism crisis in the MAGA movement. Nobody else was surprised. My latest: bit.ly/HazonyAntisemitism
Reposted by Tobita Chow
Rep. Salazar on Venezuela: "We're about to go in ... we need to go in ... Venezuela for the American oil companies will be a field day"
November 24, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Rep. Salazar on Venezuela: "We're about to go in ... we need to go in ... Venezuela for the American oil companies will be a field day"
Reposted by Tobita Chow
this dumb shit is what i mean when i say this is a purely aesthetic “politics.” yeah man, why can’t we have a fusion of cosmopolitan social democracy and revanchist hierarchies of wealth and privilege? tough question.
Matt Stoller: “..Trump & Mamdani defeated establishment in their own way, representing hunger of voters on the right & left who want something different. If those sides cd come together.. that would be a sea change in how we organize our political economy”.
www.thebignewsletter.com/p/monopoly-r...
www.thebignewsletter.com/p/monopoly-r...
Monopoly Round-Up: Why the Establishment Freaked Out Over a Mamdani-Trump Press Conference
Meta wins its antitrust case, there are now two fire truck antitrust claims, the stock market got wobbly, and Larry Summers was exiled from the establishment, at least for now.
www.thebignewsletter.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:04 PM
this dumb shit is what i mean when i say this is a purely aesthetic “politics.” yeah man, why can’t we have a fusion of cosmopolitan social democracy and revanchist hierarchies of wealth and privilege? tough question.
Reposted by Tobita Chow
“Within the White House, Trump and his lieutenants aren’t planning on letting up…Trump has told some advisers that he wants RICO prosecutions and conspiracy charges leveled against the six Democrats, a source with direct knowledge of the matter tells Zeteo…
zeteo.com/p/how-we-gre...
zeteo.com/p/how-we-gre...
November 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
“Within the White House, Trump and his lieutenants aren’t planning on letting up…Trump has told some advisers that he wants RICO prosecutions and conspiracy charges leveled against the six Democrats, a source with direct knowledge of the matter tells Zeteo…
zeteo.com/p/how-we-gre...
zeteo.com/p/how-we-gre...
Reposted by Tobita Chow
Yesterday my partner and I counted all the ads along Chicago's Brown Line for "Friend," a company selling an AI chatbot pendant, and tallied how many of those ads were defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
November 23, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Yesterday my partner and I counted all the ads along Chicago's Brown Line for "Friend," a company selling an AI chatbot pendant, and tallied how many of those ads were defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
Reposted by Tobita Chow
"A Chinese immigrant was found dead in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, with his hands and feet tied behind him, an attorney has alleged."
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
Man detained by ICE found dead, hanging with hands and feet tied—attorney
The Chinese national died in Pennsylvania in August, but his family's requests for answers from DHS have gone unmet.
www.newsweek.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:15 AM
"A Chinese immigrant was found dead in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, with his hands and feet tied behind him, an attorney has alleged."
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
Reposted by Tobita Chow
Trump's economy is being held up by a massive AI bubble.
A recent study found that of 300 companies that owned generative AI tools, 95% reported zero return on their investments.
We will not entertain a bailout of these companies should this bubble pop.
A recent study found that of 300 companies that owned generative AI tools, 95% reported zero return on their investments.
We will not entertain a bailout of these companies should this bubble pop.
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Trump's economy is being held up by a massive AI bubble.
A recent study found that of 300 companies that owned generative AI tools, 95% reported zero return on their investments.
We will not entertain a bailout of these companies should this bubble pop.
A recent study found that of 300 companies that owned generative AI tools, 95% reported zero return on their investments.
We will not entertain a bailout of these companies should this bubble pop.
"Imperial state capitalism is hijacking the transition and the promise of a decarbonised economy." @iliasalami.bsky.social @transitionsec.bsky.social transitionsecurity.org/imperial-sta...
Imperial State Capitalism
A new geopolitics is shaping the development of AI and the energy transition.
transitionsecurity.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:17 AM
"Imperial state capitalism is hijacking the transition and the promise of a decarbonised economy." @iliasalami.bsky.social @transitionsec.bsky.social transitionsecurity.org/imperial-sta...
I feel like I need a cigarette after watching this video
A U.S. Border Patrol agent, Isaiah Hodgson, was charged with resisting arrest by Long Beach police after he allegedly pulled a gun in the women’s restroom of a restaurant — here’s how he reacted.
November 19, 2025 at 1:58 AM
I feel like I need a cigarette after watching this video
Total lack of respect for traditional Chicago culture
The House votes to publicly rebuke retiring Rep. Chuy Garcia, over his ploy to handpick his Democratic successor for his Chicago-area congressional seat.
House rebukes Democratic Rep. Chuy Garcia for succession scheme
Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez forced the vote, saying Garcia's moves to make his aide the only Democrat in the race for a deep-blue seat amount to election subversion.
nbcnews.to
November 19, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Total lack of respect for traditional Chicago culture
Reposted by Tobita Chow
i will kind of accept this from some random person who barely pays attention. ben shapiro though? he's just lying
Ben Shapiro: “When the president said deport all the illegal immigrants, I never thought that he meant that literally”
November 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
i will kind of accept this from some random person who barely pays attention. ben shapiro though? he's just lying
Reposted by Tobita Chow
Today's new @publicenterprise.bsky.social report is a comprehensive analysis of the capital structure of the entire AI sector: data center real estate, GPU markets, private credit, you name it.
It's also a financial risk management framework for policymakers!
publicenterprise.org/report/bubbl...
It's also a financial risk management framework for policymakers!
publicenterprise.org/report/bubbl...
Bubble or Nothing
Policymakers concerned about the deployment of clean energy and compute-focused infrastructure over the long term need a framework for managing the uncertainty in the AI sector's investment landscape—...
publicenterprise.org
November 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Today's new @publicenterprise.bsky.social report is a comprehensive analysis of the capital structure of the entire AI sector: data center real estate, GPU markets, private credit, you name it.
It's also a financial risk management framework for policymakers!
publicenterprise.org/report/bubbl...
It's also a financial risk management framework for policymakers!
publicenterprise.org/report/bubbl...
Reposted by Tobita Chow
November 17, 2025 at 7:59 PM