US probes malware email targeting trade talks with China, WSJ reports

Source: Reuters

September 7, 2025 11:21 PM EDT Updated 7 hours ago


WASHINGTON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - U.S. authorities are investigating a bogus email purportedly from a Republican lawmaker that contained malware apparently aimed at giving China insights into the Trump administration's trade talks with Beijing, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

The malware in the email that appeared to be sent by Representative John Moolenaar in July to U.S. trade groups, law firms and government agencies was traced by cyber analysts to a hacker group - APT41 - believed to be working for Chinese intelligence, the newspaper said.

Moolenaar, a harsh critic of Beijing, is the chairman of a congressional committee focused on strategic competition between China and the United States, including threats to U.S. national security. The email was the latest alleged Beijing-linked hacking operation aimed at giving China insight into recommendations to the White House for contentious trade talks with China, said the Journal, quoting people familiar with the matter.

The Chinese embassy in Washington said it was not familiar with the details of the reported attack and that all countries face cyberattacks that are difficult to trace. "China firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyber attacks and cyber crime," it said in an emailed statement. "We also firmly oppose smearing others without solid evidence."

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-probes-malware-email-targeting-trade-talks-with-china-wsj-reports-2025-09-07/