U.S. Investigates Chinese-Linked Cyberattack Targeting Trade Talks

U.S. authorities are investigating a sophisticated cyber espionage campaign involving malware-laden emails impersonating Republican Representative John Moolenaar, aimed at U.S. trade groups, law firms, and government agencies during sensitive U.S.-China trade negotiations. Cybersecurity analysts have linked the attack to APT41, a hacking group believed to be connected to Chinese intelligence, with the malware designed to spy on recipients and extract sensitive information. The fraudulent emails contained an attachment disguised as draft legislation on sanctions against Beijing, which, if opened, would install malware granting attackers extensive system access. The timing of the attack coincided with critical trade talks in Sweden, raising concerns about state-sponsored cyber espionage efforts to influence diplomatic and economic negotiations. The FBI and U.S. Capitol Police are actively investigating, while Chinese officials have denied any involvement but condemned cyberattacks in general. This incident highlights the growing threat of cyber espionage in geopolitical contexts and the challenges faced by U.S. national security agencies in countering such advanced persistent threats.