US investigating malware email targeting trade talks with China: reports

US authorities are investigating a bogus email 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 purportedly sent by congressman John Moolenaar in July to US 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 US 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 newspaper, quoting people familiar with the matter.

The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The first email, The Wall Street Journal said, was sent just before US-China trade talks in Sweden that led to an extension of a truce on tariffs until early November, when US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping could meet at an Asian economic summit.

“Your insights are essential,” said the email that asked recipients to review proposed legislation attached to it.

South China Morning Post