Chinese State Influence: Tariffs to Tension

This report contains selected insights from Graphika’s intelligence reporting on Chinese state influence actors and adjacent communities between February and March 2025. Graphika subscribers can access a full set of insights, as well as accompanying data and signals. Please visit Graphika to book a demo. Below is a summary of our findings:

• Chinese state influence actors and aligned communities consistently focus on developments in U.S. foreign policy in their online messaging, particularly in relation to China and Europe. These actors promote narratives almost certainly intended to advance Beijing’s strategic interests, such as undermining public support for U.S. trade tariffs, exacerbating tensions between Washington and Europe, and positioning China as a stronger and more reliable diplomatic partner.
• In recent weeks, Chinese state influence actors have seeded and amplified online criticism of increased U.S. trade tariffs on China. This includes claims that the tariffs are unjustified and will disproportionately hurt the U.S. and U.S. workers. In early March, for instance, these actors spread videos and cartoons accusing President Donald Trump of using the fentanyl crisis as an excuse to carry out unjustified acts of economic aggression.
• In recent weeks, Chinese state influence actors have seeded and amplified online narratives highlighting increased diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and its European allies and promoting closer ties with Beijing. In late February, for instance, these actors used division between the U.S. and European allies over the war in Ukraine to claim Washington is “breaking up with the EU." In early March, the actors leveraged decontextualized excerpts of an EU parliamentary address by a U.S. economist to frame China as a “success story” for Europe.
• Chinese state influence actors will almost certainly continue with this and related messaging efforts as Beijing seeks to undermine support for the U.S. and capitalize on opportunities to advance its own diplomatic agenda. This activity presents a challenge for governments seeking to successfully navigate a rapidly evolving online information environment and a risk to individuals and organizations who may be targeted with defamatory narratives or “patriotic” boycotts and other hostile online activities.