A ‘Bridge’ to China, and her family’s business, in the Trump cabinet

Utterly absorbing New York Times long read about US transportation secretary Elaine Chao and the family shipping company Foremost Group, founded by her father James Chao. While Ms Chao herself has no formal role in Foremost, which is now run by her sister Angela, the ties between the family and the Chinese government go surprisingly deep considering that she is part of a US government which is in the initial stages of a full-blown trade war with China. “In a rarity for foreigners, Angela and James Chao have served on the board of the holding company for China State Shipbuilding, a state-owned enterprise that makes ships for the Chinese military, along with Foremost and other customers. Angela Chao is also on the board at the Bank of China, a top lender to the shipbuilder.”