Weihai Yamar Outdoors Product Co., a Chinese maker of camping equipment, was among the 25 entities sanctioned by the UK government for abetting undocumented immigration. The company’s production of small inflatable boats put it on the list with people-smuggling gangs and individuals accused of facilitating the movement of migrants. This is the first wave of anti-immigration sanctions imposed by the UK Foreign Office. Foreign Secretary David Lammy called it a “landmark moment in the Government’s work to tackle organised immigration crime (and) reduce irregular migration to the UK.” (EVENING STANDARD)

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead trade talks with the United States in Sweden from 27 to 30 July. This will be his third round of talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Officially, 12 August is the cutoff date for a trade deal, although Bessent has said that the deadline itself would be part of the talks. Last week, China’s Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, said Beijing wants to stabilize its trade relationship with the U.S. and said China’s trade talks with Europe show there is no need for a trade war. (REUTERS)