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Trump administration declassifies unconfirmed intel on Chinese bounties

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Trump speaks during a press conference on China in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 29. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Trump administration is declassifying as-yet uncorroborated intelligence, recently briefed to President Trump, that indicates China offered to pay non-state actors in Afghanistan to attack American soldiers, two senior administration officials tell Axios.The big picture: The disclosure of this unconfirmed intelligence comes 21 days before the end of Trump's presidency, after he has vowed to pressure on China, and months after news s indicated that the Russians had secretly offered bounties for Taliban militants to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan.Behind the scenes: The intelligence was included in the president's briefing on Dec. 17, and Trump was verbally briefed on the matter by National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, officials said. Why it matters: If this intelligence were to be confirmed, it would represent a dramatic strategic shift for China, and sharply escalate tensions between China and the U.S. If the intelligence does not prove accurate, it raises questions about the motivations of the sources behind it as well as the decision to declassify it.Flashback: In June, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany at the New York Times for about the Russian bounty intelligence.Details: One senior official involved in the latest China discussions, who described the uncorroborated intelligence to Axios, said: "Like all first reports, we react with caution to initial reports" but "any intel reports relating to the safety of our forces we take very seriously."Officials would not describe the source or sources of the intelligence or say when or over what period of time the activity occurred. Between the lines: The British and U.S. governments have previously about Chinese-made weapons being used by the Taliban.Don't forget: Trump received heavy criticism earlier this year when he admitted he had not addressed with Vladimir Putin the unconfirmed intelligence reports that Russia had been offering bribes to the Taliban to kill American soldiers.China will end this year as the only major country in the world to see its economy grow rather than shrink.Why it matters: China is operating from a position of great strength, with an economy expected to grow by 8.4% in 2021. If President-elect Joe Biden as a "serious competitor," then the competition will be fiercer during his presidency than at any point in history.The European Union on Wednesday in principle on a long-delayed investment deal with China, appearing to defy resistance from within the EU and a for consultations about "common concerns" from the incoming Biden administration.Why it matters: The deal will open up both markets to investment and commit Beijing to ending certain unfair trading practices, strengthening economic ties between the EU and its second-largest trading partner. Politics: McConnell: — Biden says on vaccine distribution.Health: .Vaccine: U.K. first nation to . — Fauci says set for end of December.Sports: Premier League season detected.Axios-Ipsos survey: Surviving COVID .

Trump speaks during a press conference on China in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 29. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Trump administration is declassifying as-yet uncorroborated intelligence, recently briefed to President Trump, that indicates China offered to pay non-state actors in Afghanistan to attack American soldiers, two senior administration officials tell Axios.The big picture: The disclosure of this unconfirmed intelligence comes 21 days before the end of Trump's presidency, after he has vowed to pressure on China, and months after news s indicated that the...

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Jonathan Swan is a political reporter at Axios covering both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

https://www.axios.com/authors/jonathanswan

Jonathan Swan

Bethany is the China reporter at Axios. She is the author of the weekly Axios China newsletter, and she covers Beijing's influence and intentions.

https://www.axios.com/authors/baebrahimian

Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian

Smart Brevity worthy of people's time, attention and trust. Subscribe to our newsletters: https://bit.ly/3hMCmVn

Trump administration declassifies unconfirmed intel on Chinese bounties

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