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

Follow James Palmer:
On X
Articles by James Palmer
Workers from Chinese electric vehicle company NIO work on an automated production line at the company’s manufacturing hub in Hefei, China, on Jan. 17.
Workers from Chinese electric vehicle company NIO work on an automated production line at the company’s manufacturing hub in Hefei, China, on Jan. 17.

China Leans Into Trade War

China Brief
James Palmer
china-jin-zhuanglong
china-jin-zhuanglong

Another High-Ranking Chinese Official Falls

China Brief
James Palmer
U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron leave a joint press conference at the White House in Washington on Feb. 24.
U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron leave a joint press conference at the White House in Washington on Feb. 24.

As Trump Abandons Allies, How Will China Respond?

China Brief
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
Load more by James Palmer Return to staff list

Latest

See All Stories

Trending

  1. 1
    The Periodic Table of States
  2. 2
    What the World Will Look Like Without a ‘West’
  3. 3
    Stop the Next Ethiopia-Eritrea War Before It Begins
  4. 4
    Trump Is Undermining the Canadians Most Sympathetic to Him
  5. 5
    Syrians Will Never All Get Along