Washington: U.S. authorities have launched a probe into a malicious email campaign that sought to infiltrate sensitive communications linked to trade negotiations with China. The attack, detected in July, involved a fraudulent email that appeared to come from Representative John Moolenaar, chairman of the House committee on U.S.–China strategic competition.

The email urged recipients to review a supposed draft bill but in fact carried malware designed to compromise computer systems. Targets included U.S. trade groups, law firms, and government agencies closely connected with ongoing trade talks. Investigators believe the cyberattack was linked to APT41, a hacking group widely associated with Chinese intelligence operations.

Moolenaar condemned the impersonation, describing it as part of broader attempts by Beijing to undermine U.S. security and policymaking. The FBI and U.S. Capitol Police are leading the investigation, though it remains unclear if the malware succeeded in breaching any systems.

Chinese officials, through their embassy in Washington, rejected the allegations, insisting that Beijing had no role in the incident. They emphasized that cyber threats are a global issue and accused the United States of making unfounded claims.

The attack came just ahead of key trade negotiations between the United States and China in Sweden, which ended with a temporary extension of the tariff truce. Cybersecurity analysts at Mandiant warned that the malware used in the campaign could have provided attackers with deep access to victim networks if activated.

Experts note that the incident fits into a broader pattern of sophisticated cyber-espionage operations, with hackers increasingly impersonating U.S. officials and deploying advanced tools, including AI-generated content, to increase credibility.

The case highlights the growing convergence of trade policy, national security, and cyber threats, underscoring the risks faced by governments and institutions engaged in high-stakes negotiations.