China wanted western tech. Now, the tables have turned. With John Minnich

China wanted western tech. Now, the tables have turned. With John Minnich

June 19, 2026 · 43 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the shift in technology dynamics between China and the West, exploring whether the US and EU should adopt similar strategies to China's tech development.

For decades, China accelerated its industrial development through a straightforward bargain: foreign firms invested in China, often through joint ventures, gaining access to the enormous Chinese market, while Chinese companies absorbed western tech and knowhow. Today, that dynamic is changing. China's high-tech industries are now world-leading, and western governments are looking on enviously. So should the US and EU now take a page from China's playbook? Host Soumaya Keynes speaks to John Minnich, assistant professor of international relations at LSE, about the history of Chinese tech transfer, how it drove industrial sophistication and whether the west could — or should — attempt something similar. Subscribe to Soumaya's show on Apple , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you listen. Further Reading How China pulled off a great tech reversal EU to include UK and Japan in ‘Made in Europe’ plans John Minnich: Divide and Conquer: Industry Market Structure, Inter-Firm Rivalry, and Bargaining over Technology Presented by Soumaya Keynes. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Flo Phillips is the…

People in this episode

Host: Soumaya Keynes

Guest: John Minnich

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: LSE, Financial Times, EU, US

Places: China, UK, Japan

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