Washington, D.C., April 28, 2025 — In a recent segment on News Nation, Nestpoint’s Managing Director, John Thomas, provided strategic insight into the evolving U.S.-China trade relationship, outlining what he views as President Trump’s calculated efforts to reshape global trade dynamics by diplomatically encircling China.
Appearing alongside Dan Canon, CEO of Ark Initiatives and former battleground director for the Harris campaign, Thomas addressed the political and economic implications of recent developments, including China's issuance of retaliatory warnings to countries engaging with U.S. trade efforts.
Thomas pointed to signs of strain within China’s posture, highlighting exemptions the Chinese government is now offering on select American imports—particularly pharmaceuticals—as a clear signal that Beijing “cannot endure permanently a trade war.” He emphasized that U.S. companies are moving supply chains out of China, further weakening its leverage.
According to Thomas, this shift is not accidental, but rather the product of a long-game strategy: “What President Trump’s doing right now is trying to surround China—he’s attempted to negotiate deals with other major countries, leaving China as the last man standing.” He noted that this multi-pronged strategy aims to pressure China into fairer trade concessions, even if it causes short-term political setbacks in the U.S.
Responding to conflicting narratives about ongoing trade negotiations, Thomas remained skeptical of any substantial dialogue happening behind the scenes, asserting that “meaningful conversations” tend to manifest directly through President Trump’s public communication channels. Still, he underscored that the administration’s aggressive posture may be achieving its intended impact: “China doesn’t have a lot of friends on the world stage,” he said, suggesting that Beijing’s options for counter-leverage are limited.
Thomas’s commentary reflects Nestpoint’s broader strategic approach: interpreting complex global developments and positioning clients to navigate and benefit from them. His appearance on NewsNation reinforces Nestpoint’s role as a trusted voice in geopolitical strategy and economic policy.
The full segment aired on News Nation and can be viewed here.
About Nestpoint
Nestpoint, with a global footprint, and a formidable presence in Washington, D.C., is a leading government affairs, finance and private equity firm. As a strategic ally, Nestpoint transforms challenges into opportunities through its expertise in policy influence, global networks, and financial innovation, delivering customized solutions for sustained client success. Nestpoint advises multibillion-dollar companies in the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors as well as foreign nations.
