Category: Week in Review

Reuters reports that the Trump administration’s proposed fees on Chinese-made ships are starting to affect U.S. exports. U.S. coal and agricultural products are accumulating as exporters struggle to find ships to send goods abroad. The administration has plans to impose levies of up to $1.5 million on Chinese-made ...

China’s Ministry of Commerce reportedly met on Tuesday with executives from Walmart, following reports that the U.S. retail giant was trying to force Chinese suppliers to lower prices to absorb U.S. government tariffs and shield American consumers from price increases. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in ...

China will push its steel sector to lower production output to drive up prices. The National People’s Congress was told that restructuring in the sector would be encouraged. The size of the output cuts was not specified. The move comes as many Global South countries have put duties ...

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Politburo and State Council officials to remain calm in the face of international and domestic pressure. China “must enhance its political capabilities and calmly respond to challenges brought about by changes in the domestic and international situation,” he was quoted by Xinhua. The ...

China dismissed accusations that a PLA Air Force helicopter behaved recklessly when it came within 3 meters of Philippines aircraft over the South China Sea on Tuesday.  The Communist Party-run newspaper Global Times said Manila "once again staged a clumsy political show" when it allowed journalists from the ...

Two of China’s state-owned automakers may merge, creating the world’s largest carmaker by sales and eclipsing the current champion BYD. Dongfeng Motor Group and Chongqing Changan Automobile indicated in filings that their ownership structures may change, sparking rumors of a possible merger. Such a move could target overcapacity ...

China has joined countries around the world in rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to “take over” Gaza and force the displacement of Palestinians to other countries. China "has always believed that 'the Palestinians governing Palestine' is the fundamental principle for postwar governance in Gaza," said Foreign Ministry ...

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Beijing on Sunday for two days of talks with his counterpart, Vice-Foreign Minister Sun Weidong. The two, who were both ambassadors to each other's countries, are expected to discuss the resumption of direct flights and the easing of visa restrictions ...

A ship carrying a chemical used to make missile propellant is reportedly traveling from China to Iran, and a second will leave in February. The Iran-flagged Golbon departed the Chinese island of Daishan on Tuesday loaded with enough sodium perchlorate to power 260 mid-range missiles. It is reportedly ...

U.S. President Joe Biden will have a trilateral telephone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Monday morning. The trio are widely expected to discuss closer cooperation in responding to Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea. 

Outgoing U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan arrived in New Delhi on Monday for two days of talks with senior officials, including his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval. The White House indicated on Friday that Sullivan plans to discuss India's concerns about China's proposed new mega-dam in Tibet. 

Australia and the Pacific nation of Nauru announced a landmark security treaty on Monday, advancing Canberra’s aim of blunting China’s growing regional influence. Under the treaty, Nauru must seek Australia’s agreement before it inks any other bilateral deals concerning maritime security, defense, and policing. (AGENCE ...