Rob Schmitz

Marketplace’s China correspondent, based in Shanghai

Rob Schmitz appears in the following:

David Hasselhoff Is Still Big In Germany 30 Years After His Berlin Wall Show

Friday, November 08, 2019

The Hoff recently sat down with NPR in Berlin and told the story of how he became a rock star there.

Comment

In German Coal Country, This Former Socialist Model City Has Shrunk In Half

Thursday, November 07, 2019

Thirty years after the Berlin Wall fell, Hoyerswerda is struggling to thrive, a far-right party has gained popularity and many residents worry about the future when Germany phases out coal.

Comment

China's Influence In The Czech Republic

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Charles University in Prague is at the center of a fight over Chinese influence, after a major corporate sponsor tried to limit academic criticism of Beijing.

Comment

Czech-Chinese Ties Strained As Prague Stands Up To Beijing

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Beijing recently canceled a sister-city agreement with Prague, whose mayor opposed inclusion of a "One China" provision that Taiwan is part of China. Beijing also canceled a Prague Philharmonic tour.

Comment

As An Election Nears In Poland, Church And State Are A Popular Combination

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Poland's ruling Law and Justice Party leads its opposition in opinion polls ahead of Sunday's election. "Christianity is part of our national identity," party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said recently.

Comment

Nationalist Message Is Popular Ahead Of Polish Elections

Friday, October 11, 2019

It's election season in Poland, and the clear favorite is the right-wing Law and Justice party. It has overseen one of the fastest growing economies in the EU.

Comment

Suspect Posted Racist Screed Before Launching Deadly Attack In Germany

Thursday, October 10, 2019

The German government has described Wednesday's shooting outside a synagogue in the town of Halle as an anti-Semitic attack. Two people were killed. Police have arrested a suspect.

Comment

Far Right Makes Gains In 2 German State Elections As Centrists Hang Onto Power

Friday, September 20, 2019

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won big in this month's Brandenburg and Saxony state elections. A recent poll shows the AfD more popular than ever throughout Germany.

Comment

Germany's Migrant Issues Contribute To Surge In Votes For Far-Right Party

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

While centrist politicians in Germany worry about Nazi-era emotions rising again, right-wing voters say they have valid concerns that aren't being met by center-left ruling parties.

Comment

Protests Over Extradition Bill Turn Violent In Hong Kong

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Wednesday was full of violent protests in Hong Kong as protesters demanding the withdrawal of an extradition bill to China clashed with police.

Comment

Protests Force Hong Kong's Lawmakers To Delay Vote On Extradition Bill

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Demonstrations block roads around Hong Kong's legislature as lawmakers prepared to debate a bill that would allow people accused of a crime in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China for trial.

Comment

Hundreds Of Thousands Fill Hong Kong's Streets To Protest China Extradition Bill

Sunday, June 09, 2019

The controversial bill would let suspects be sent to places where Hong Kong has no extradition deal, such as mainland China. Authorities threatened to use force on demonstrators.

Comment

U.S. May Blacklist Chinese Surveillance Firm, 'New York Times' Reports

Thursday, May 23, 2019

The Trump administration is considering limiting Chinese surveillance company Hikvision's ability to buy American technology, according to reporting from The New York Times.

Comment

'The Economy Is Slipping': China's Slowdown Hits Former Boomtown

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Car production is shrinking in China's Chongqing, and auto workers struggle to transition.

Comment

Slowdown Highlights Vulnerable Chinese Economy In Midst Of A Trade War

Monday, May 20, 2019

It wasn't long ago that China's central city of Chongqing was regarded as emblematic of the country's rising economic fortunes. But more recently, it's fallen on hard times.

Comment

China Retaliates Against Latest U.S. Tariffs With Its Own Hike On American Goods

Monday, May 13, 2019

Days after the Trump administration imposed $200 billion in additional tariffs against Chinese imports amid stalled trade talks, Beijing has responded with a $60 billion hike on U.S. goods.

Comment

China Has Yet To Retaliate For Trump's Tariff Hike

Monday, May 13, 2019

It's been three days since the U.S. raised tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. China's government so far hasn't hit back, but it appears the U.S.-China trade talks have faltered.

Comment

White House Follows Through With Tariff Hikes On Chinese Imports

Friday, May 10, 2019

After months of disputes and negotiations, the Trump administration has significantly raised tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. U.S.-Chinese negotiators meet again to try to reach a deal.

Comment

Trump's Tariff Intentions Hang Over U.S.-China Trade Talks

Thursday, May 09, 2019

A delegation of Chinese negotiators is in Washington to continue talks to resolve an ongoing trade dispute with the U.S. — just as President Trump threatens higher tariffs.

Comment

U.S. Continues Trade Talks With China Despite Trump's Tariff Threat

Tuesday, May 07, 2019

A Chinese delegation arrives in Washington, D.C., for trade negotiations on Thursday after the Trump administration accused Beijing of reneging on previous promises and threatened to increase tariffs.

Comment