6 days ago
US says China's Huawei can't make more than 200,000 AI chips in 2025
China's Huawei Technologies is capable of producing no more than 200,000 advanced artificial intelligence chips in 2025, a top U.S. exports controls official told lawmakers on Thursday, warning that though the number is below the company's demand, China is quickly catching up to U.S. capabilities.
Since 2019, a slew of U.S. export rules aimed at curbing China's technological and military advancements have limited access by Huawei and other Chinese firms to high-end U.S. chips and the equipment needed to produce them. The issue has become a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations.
Facing those restrictions, Huawei aims to ship its Ascend 910C AI chips to Chinese customers as an alternative to those made by the United States' Nvidia, the global leader.
"Our assessment is that Huawei Ascend chip production capacity for 2025 will be at or below 200,000 and we project that most or all of that will be delivered to companies within China," Jeffrey Kessler, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security at the Commerce Department, told a congressional hearing.
Kessler said that the U.S. should not take comfort in the figure.
"China is investing huge amounts to increase its AI chip production, as well as the capabilities of the chips that it produces. So, it's critical for us not to have a false sense of security, to understand that China is catching up quickly," he told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia subcommittee.
White House AI Czar David Sacks said on Tuesday that China was only 3-6 months behind the U.S. in AI. The White House later said he was referring to China's AI models, adding that Chinese AI chips are one to two years behind their U.S. counterparts.
Huawei's CEO Ren Zhengfei told Chinese state media on Tuesday that the company's chips were a generation behind those of U.S. competitors, but that it invests more than $25 billion annually to improve performance.
Nvidia's AI chips are more powerful than Huawei's but Washington's export controls on its most sophisticated chips have caused it to lose market share.
The U.S. and China reached a tentative trade truce at talks in London this week after a previous agreement faltered over China's continued curbs on minerals exports.
That prompted the Trump administration to apply additional export controls on shipments of semiconductor design software, jet engines for Chinese-made planes and other goods.
Democratic Representative Greg Meeks expressed concern that the Trump administration had conflated U.S. exports controls with broader discussions on trade.
"What I will say is export controls have been strong and I'm confident that they will remain strong," Kessler said.
Kessler said he was not planning any immediate new restrictions on U.S. semiconductors sold to China, but that the Commerce Department will "remain active in this space."
"It's a constantly evolving landscape, and we need to make sure that our controls remain effective," he said.
China's Huawei Technologies is capable of producing no more than 200,000 advanced artificial intelligence chips in 2025, a top U.S. exports controls official told lawmakers on Thursday, warning that though the number is below the company's demand, China is quickly catching up to U.S. capabilities.
Since 2019, a slew of U.S. export rules aimed at curbing China's technological and military advancements have limited access by Huawei and other Chinese firms to high-end U.S. chips and the equipment needed to produce them. The issue has become a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations.
Facing those restrictions, Huawei aims to ship its Ascend 910C AI chips to Chinese customers as an alternative to those made by the United States' Nvidia, the global leader.
"Our assessment is that Huawei Ascend chip production capacity for 2025 will be at or below 200,000 and we project that most or all of that will be delivered to companies within China," Jeffrey Kessler, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security at the Commerce Department, told a congressional hearing.
Kessler said that the U.S. should not take comfort in the figure.
"China is investing huge amounts to increase its AI chip production, as well as the capabilities of the chips that it produces. So, it's critical for us not to have a false sense of security, to understand that China is catching up quickly," he told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia subcommittee.
White House AI Czar David Sacks said on Tuesday that China was only 3-6 months behind the U.S. in AI. The White House later said he was referring to China's AI models, adding that Chinese AI chips are one to two years behind their U.S. counterparts.
Huawei's CEO Ren Zhengfei told Chinese state media on Tuesday that the company's chips were a generation behind those of U.S. competitors, but that it invests more than $25 billion annually to improve performance.
Nvidia's AI chips are more powerful than Huawei's but Washington's export controls on its most sophisticated chips have caused it to lose market share.
The U.S. and China reached a tentative trade truce at talks in London this week after a previous agreement faltered over China's continued curbs on minerals exports.
That prompted the Trump administration to apply additional export controls on shipments of semiconductor design software, jet engines for Chinese-made planes and other goods.
Democratic Representative Greg Meeks expressed concern that the Trump administration had conflated U.S. exports controls with broader discussions on trade.
"What I will say is export controls have been strong and I'm confident that they will remain strong," Kessler said.
Kessler said he was not planning any immediate new restrictions on U.S. semiconductors sold to China, but that the Commerce Department will "remain active in this space."
"It's a constantly evolving landscape, and we need to make sure that our controls remain effective," he said.
8 days ago
The three top U.S. trade negotiators are seeking a handshake with China in London talks to seal the agreement on rare earths reached by Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Monday.
"The purpose of the meeting today is to make sure that they're serious, but to literally get handshakes," Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, told CNBC in an interview.
"I expect it to be a short meeting with a big, strong handshake," Hassett added.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were set to meet with Chinese counterparts in London on Monday to defuse the trade dispute between the two superpowers that has widened in recent weeks to include export controls over goods critical to global supply chains.
Chinese export controls on rare earths was a very significant sticking point, Hassett said.
With China controlling most of the global rare earth and magnet supply, its restrictions on sending those to the U.S. could disrupt production for American companies, including automakers, that rely on those materials, he said.
Asked about the Chinese objection to U.S. curbs on semiconductor exports, Hassett said: "Our expectation is that after the handshake, then immediately after the handshake, any export controls from the U.S. will be eased, and the rare earths will be released in volume, and then we can go back to negotiating smaller matters."
"The purpose of the meeting today is to make sure that they're serious, but to literally get handshakes," Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, told CNBC in an interview.
"I expect it to be a short meeting with a big, strong handshake," Hassett added.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were set to meet with Chinese counterparts in London on Monday to defuse the trade dispute between the two superpowers that has widened in recent weeks to include export controls over goods critical to global supply chains.
Chinese export controls on rare earths was a very significant sticking point, Hassett said.
With China controlling most of the global rare earth and magnet supply, its restrictions on sending those to the U.S. could disrupt production for American companies, including automakers, that rely on those materials, he said.
Asked about the Chinese objection to U.S. curbs on semiconductor exports, Hassett said: "Our expectation is that after the handshake, then immediately after the handshake, any export controls from the U.S. will be eased, and the rare earths will be released in volume, and then we can go back to negotiating smaller matters."
9 days ago
China's outbound shipments of rare earths in May jumped 23% on the month to their highest in a year, though Beijing's export curbs on some of the critical minerals halted some overseas sales, with shortages rippling through global manufacturing.
China's April export curbs on several types of rare earths and rare earth magnets shut parts of the global auto industry and figured heavily in a rare telephone call last week between the leaders of the United States and China.
Rare earth exports of all kinds from the world's largest producer were up 23% in May versus April to stand at 5,864.60 tons, the highest monthly figure in a year.
The curbs do not cover all the many types of rare earth products that China exports. Monday's data does not distinguish among them, so a full picture of the curbs' impact will only be provided in a more detailed data release due on June 20.
Data released last month showed magnet exports fell by half in April. Several European auto parts plants were forced to stop production last week while semiconductor firms on the continent warned they were weeks away from also doing so.
In the first five months of 2025, exports of the group of 17 minerals rose marginally to 24,827 tons from 24,266.5 tons a year earlier, customs data showed.
China's April export curbs on several types of rare earths and rare earth magnets shut parts of the global auto industry and figured heavily in a rare telephone call last week between the leaders of the United States and China.
Rare earth exports of all kinds from the world's largest producer were up 23% in May versus April to stand at 5,864.60 tons, the highest monthly figure in a year.
The curbs do not cover all the many types of rare earth products that China exports. Monday's data does not distinguish among them, so a full picture of the curbs' impact will only be provided in a more detailed data release due on June 20.
Data released last month showed magnet exports fell by half in April. Several European auto parts plants were forced to stop production last week while semiconductor firms on the continent warned they were weeks away from also doing so.
In the first five months of 2025, exports of the group of 17 minerals rose marginally to 24,827 tons from 24,266.5 tons a year earlier, customs data showed.
12 days ago
India and five central Asian countries have expressed interest in joint exploration of rare earths and critical minerals, they said in a joint statement on Friday after the fourth meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue, held in New Delhi.
The announcement comes amid global alarm over China's decision to curb exports of rare earth alloys, mixtures and magnets, spooking industries ranging from automobiles and clean energy to defence.
India and the central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan - also called upon "relevant authorities" for an early meeting of the India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum, which last met in September.
"The ministers also encouraged exchange of delegations to explore new areas of cooperation in critical minerals," the statement said, adding the sides had agreed to hold their next meeting in 2026.
Rare earths are a group of 17 elements whose most key uses include creation of magnets that power motion for cars, cellphones, missiles, and other electronics.
China mines about 60% of the world's rare earths and makes 90% of rare earth magnets, but announced export restrictions on these in April as part of its sweeping response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.
India is holding talks with companies to establish long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets by offering fiscal incentives for domestic production, as it looks to reduce dependence on shipments from China, Reuters had reported on Thursday.
The South Asian nation also plans to launch incentives for recycling 24 critical minerals - a plan that is in the final stages of approval - as it looks to secure the minerals needed for green energy transition.
The announcement comes amid global alarm over China's decision to curb exports of rare earth alloys, mixtures and magnets, spooking industries ranging from automobiles and clean energy to defence.
India and the central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan - also called upon "relevant authorities" for an early meeting of the India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum, which last met in September.
"The ministers also encouraged exchange of delegations to explore new areas of cooperation in critical minerals," the statement said, adding the sides had agreed to hold their next meeting in 2026.
Rare earths are a group of 17 elements whose most key uses include creation of magnets that power motion for cars, cellphones, missiles, and other electronics.
China mines about 60% of the world's rare earths and makes 90% of rare earth magnets, but announced export restrictions on these in April as part of its sweeping response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.
India is holding talks with companies to establish long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets by offering fiscal incentives for domestic production, as it looks to reduce dependence on shipments from China, Reuters had reported on Thursday.
The South Asian nation also plans to launch incentives for recycling 24 critical minerals - a plan that is in the final stages of approval - as it looks to secure the minerals needed for green energy transition.
12 days ago
China has signalled for more than 15 years that it was looking to weaponise areas of the global supply chain, a strategy modelled on longstanding American export controls Beijing views as aimed at stalling its rise.
The scramble in recent weeks to secure export licences for rare earths, capped by Thursday's telephone call between U.S. and Chinese leaders Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, shows China has devised a better, more precisely targeted weapon for trade war.
Industry executives and analysts say while China is showing signs of approving more exports of the key elements, it will not dismantle its new system.
Modelled on the United States' own, Beijing's export licence system gives it unprecedented insight into supplier chokepoints in areas ranging from motors for electric vehicles to flight-control systems for guided missiles.
"China originally took inspiration for these export control methods from the comprehensive U.S. sanctions regime," said Zhu Junwei, a scholar at the Grandview Institution, a Beijing-based think tank focused on international relations.
"China has been trying to build its own export control systems since then, to be used as a last resort."
After Thursday's call, Trump said both leaders had been "straightening out some of the points, having to do mostly with rare earth magnets and some other things".
He did not say whether China committed to speeding up licences for exports of rare earth magnets, after Washington curbed exports of chip design software and jet engines to Beijing in response to its perceived slow-rolling on licences.
China holds a near-monopoly on rare earth magnets, a crucial component in EV motors.
In April it added some of the most sophisticated types to an export control list in its trade war with the United States, forcing all exporters to apply to Beijing for licences.
That put a once-obscure department of China's commerce ministry, with a staff of about 60, in charge of a chokepoint for global manufacturing.
The scramble in recent weeks to secure export licences for rare earths, capped by Thursday's telephone call between U.S. and Chinese leaders Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, shows China has devised a better, more precisely targeted weapon for trade war.
Industry executives and analysts say while China is showing signs of approving more exports of the key elements, it will not dismantle its new system.
Modelled on the United States' own, Beijing's export licence system gives it unprecedented insight into supplier chokepoints in areas ranging from motors for electric vehicles to flight-control systems for guided missiles.
"China originally took inspiration for these export control methods from the comprehensive U.S. sanctions regime," said Zhu Junwei, a scholar at the Grandview Institution, a Beijing-based think tank focused on international relations.
"China has been trying to build its own export control systems since then, to be used as a last resort."
After Thursday's call, Trump said both leaders had been "straightening out some of the points, having to do mostly with rare earth magnets and some other things".
He did not say whether China committed to speeding up licences for exports of rare earth magnets, after Washington curbed exports of chip design software and jet engines to Beijing in response to its perceived slow-rolling on licences.
China holds a near-monopoly on rare earth magnets, a crucial component in EV motors.
In April it added some of the most sophisticated types to an export control list in its trade war with the United States, forcing all exporters to apply to Beijing for licences.
That put a once-obscure department of China's commerce ministry, with a staff of about 60, in charge of a chokepoint for global manufacturing.
13 days ago
India is holding talks with companies to establish long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets by offering fiscal incentives for domestic production, people familiar with the matter said.
Building such a supply chain could take years, but would reduce India's dependence on shipments from China, which sent shockwaves across global industries, particularly autos, with its April 4 move to curb exports of rare earth materials.
China controls 90% of the processing of such magnets, also used in industries such as clean energy and defence.
Now Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government wants to develop domestic manufacturing capabilities and is considering offering production-based fiscal incentives to companies, said two sources who sought anonymity as the talks are private.
The scheme, being drafted by the ministry of heavy industries, also envisions partly funding the difference between the final price of the made-in-India magnet and the cost of the Chinese imports, the first source said.
This would help achieve cost parity and boost local demand, the source said, adding that funding for the scheme has yet to be decided, with the government likely to meet industry officials next week to finalise the details.
The heavy industries ministry did not respond to Reuters' queries.
Although a state-run firm, IREL, has been mining rare earth materials for years, these are mainly used by the atomic energy and defence units, with most supplies for other uses still imported from China.
India's move comes as auto companies the world over flag risks that they could face supply disruptions within days.
In Japan, Suzuki Motor, has suspended production of its Swift car because of China's curbs.
In India, auto industry body SIAM has privately told the government it expects production "to come to a grinding halt" within a timeframe starting from the end of May or early June.
The heavy industries ministry also plans to send a delegation of auto industry executives to meet officials in Beijing to push for faster approvals, with two industry officials warning that was the only near-term solution.
"The short-term solution has to be to get Chinese authorities to clear things," said one of the executives, who fears shortages at his company. "A radical shift in supply chain is not possible in the short term."
Building such a supply chain could take years, but would reduce India's dependence on shipments from China, which sent shockwaves across global industries, particularly autos, with its April 4 move to curb exports of rare earth materials.
China controls 90% of the processing of such magnets, also used in industries such as clean energy and defence.
Now Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government wants to develop domestic manufacturing capabilities and is considering offering production-based fiscal incentives to companies, said two sources who sought anonymity as the talks are private.
The scheme, being drafted by the ministry of heavy industries, also envisions partly funding the difference between the final price of the made-in-India magnet and the cost of the Chinese imports, the first source said.
This would help achieve cost parity and boost local demand, the source said, adding that funding for the scheme has yet to be decided, with the government likely to meet industry officials next week to finalise the details.
The heavy industries ministry did not respond to Reuters' queries.
Although a state-run firm, IREL, has been mining rare earth materials for years, these are mainly used by the atomic energy and defence units, with most supplies for other uses still imported from China.
India's move comes as auto companies the world over flag risks that they could face supply disruptions within days.
In Japan, Suzuki Motor, has suspended production of its Swift car because of China's curbs.
In India, auto industry body SIAM has privately told the government it expects production "to come to a grinding halt" within a timeframe starting from the end of May or early June.
The heavy industries ministry also plans to send a delegation of auto industry executives to meet officials in Beijing to push for faster approvals, with two industry officials warning that was the only near-term solution.
"The short-term solution has to be to get Chinese authorities to clear things," said one of the executives, who fears shortages at his company. "A radical shift in supply chain is not possible in the short term."
14 days ago
Trump is already lowering the bar on China tariffs blasting President Xi as ‘hard to make a deal with’
President Donald Trump appears to be lowering the bar on trade negotiations with China as he complained that President Xi Jinping is “hard to make a deal with.”
The president softened his tone in a Truth Social post shared in the early hours of Wednesday. “I like President XI of China, always have, and always will,” Trump said. “But he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!”
Last week Trump accused China of violating the terms of the agreement between the two countries. “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!” he said.
But his latest approach comes as the president is “obsessed with having a call with Xi,” a person familiar with the talks told Politico. The leaders of the world’s two largest economies are yet to speak on the phone to thrash out a deal.
Meanwhile, a former Trump official who remains close to the White House told Politico that the president “feels like a call between principals is a way to cut through a lot of this noise, and get right to the heart of the matter.”
President Donald Trump complained that Chinese President Xi Jinping is ‘hard to make a deal with’ in a Truth Social post. Trump has struggled to get the Chinese leader on the phone to thrash out a deal.
Obama’s assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Russel, told Politico that China “has a sharp nose for weakness, and for all his bravado, Trump is signaling eagerness, even desperation, to cut a direct deal with Xi.”
“That only stiffens Beijing’s resolve,” he added.
The trade war between the two countries has resumed after Trump accused China of violating the terms of the agreement. Beijing hit back Monday, accusing the U.S. of doing the same. The Trump administration revealed plans to revoke the visas of Chinese students and attempts to curb China’s access to the most advanced computer chips, which did not go down well.
“These practices seriously violate the consensus” of what was agreed in talks in Geneva two weeks ago, the Commerce Ministry said.
The leaders of the world’s two largest economies are yet to speak on the phone to thrash out a deal but ‘Trump is signaling eagerness, even desperation, to cut a direct deal with Xi,’ according to a former Trump official.
Now the talks are at somewhat of a standstill.
Trump believes he can break through to the Chinese leader, though the U.S. is trying to change a trade relationship worth $600 billion and doing so without losing too much political capital in the U.S.
The administration is “under a lot of pressure” following China’s critical minerals blockade, which blocks U.S. access to essential components in auto and electronics manufacturing as well as the production of munitions, a person familiar with the conversations told Politico.
Trump reduced tariffs on China last month from 145 percent to 30 percent.
President Donald Trump appears to be lowering the bar on trade negotiations with China as he complained that President Xi Jinping is “hard to make a deal with.”
The president softened his tone in a Truth Social post shared in the early hours of Wednesday. “I like President XI of China, always have, and always will,” Trump said. “But he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!”
Last week Trump accused China of violating the terms of the agreement between the two countries. “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!” he said.
But his latest approach comes as the president is “obsessed with having a call with Xi,” a person familiar with the talks told Politico. The leaders of the world’s two largest economies are yet to speak on the phone to thrash out a deal.
Meanwhile, a former Trump official who remains close to the White House told Politico that the president “feels like a call between principals is a way to cut through a lot of this noise, and get right to the heart of the matter.”
President Donald Trump complained that Chinese President Xi Jinping is ‘hard to make a deal with’ in a Truth Social post. Trump has struggled to get the Chinese leader on the phone to thrash out a deal.
Obama’s assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Russel, told Politico that China “has a sharp nose for weakness, and for all his bravado, Trump is signaling eagerness, even desperation, to cut a direct deal with Xi.”
“That only stiffens Beijing’s resolve,” he added.
The trade war between the two countries has resumed after Trump accused China of violating the terms of the agreement. Beijing hit back Monday, accusing the U.S. of doing the same. The Trump administration revealed plans to revoke the visas of Chinese students and attempts to curb China’s access to the most advanced computer chips, which did not go down well.
“These practices seriously violate the consensus” of what was agreed in talks in Geneva two weeks ago, the Commerce Ministry said.
The leaders of the world’s two largest economies are yet to speak on the phone to thrash out a deal but ‘Trump is signaling eagerness, even desperation, to cut a direct deal with Xi,’ according to a former Trump official.
Now the talks are at somewhat of a standstill.
Trump believes he can break through to the Chinese leader, though the U.S. is trying to change a trade relationship worth $600 billion and doing so without losing too much political capital in the U.S.
The administration is “under a lot of pressure” following China’s critical minerals blockade, which blocks U.S. access to essential components in auto and electronics manufacturing as well as the production of munitions, a person familiar with the conversations told Politico.
Trump reduced tariffs on China last month from 145 percent to 30 percent.
14 days ago
Iran’s supreme leader has denounced a proposal by the United States aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear efforts and demanded that his country retains independence amid reports of Washington offering to become involved in Tehran’s nuclear program.
Despite several rounds of talks between the two sides to thrash out a new nuclear deal major sticking points remain, with Iran insisting on its right to nuclear enrichment.
“The first word of the US is that Iran should not have a nuclear industry and should rely on the United States,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a crowd gathered in Tehran to commemorate the death of Imam Khomeini, the founder of Iran’s Islamic Republic.
“Our response to the US’ nonsense is clear: they cannot do a damn thing in this matter,” he said.
The US sent a nuclear deal proposal to Iran on Saturday. CNN has learned this suggests the US could invest in Iran’s civilian nuclear power program and join a consortium that would oversee the enrichment of low-level uranium inside Iran for an unspecified amount of time. That potential consortium would be expected to include Middle Eastern nations and the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Khamenei said Wednesday that Iran is refusing to allow the United States to give a “green or red light” with its nuclear program and stressed on “national independence.”
A senior Iranian official told CNN on Monday that the US proposal is “incoherent and disjointed, very unrealistic, and with excessive demands.”
US President Donald Trump said on Monday, seemingly contrary to what was proposed to Iran, that the deal will not allow uranium enrichment.
“Under our potential Agreement — WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Despite several rounds of talks between the two sides to thrash out a new nuclear deal major sticking points remain, with Iran insisting on its right to nuclear enrichment.
“The first word of the US is that Iran should not have a nuclear industry and should rely on the United States,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a crowd gathered in Tehran to commemorate the death of Imam Khomeini, the founder of Iran’s Islamic Republic.
“Our response to the US’ nonsense is clear: they cannot do a damn thing in this matter,” he said.
The US sent a nuclear deal proposal to Iran on Saturday. CNN has learned this suggests the US could invest in Iran’s civilian nuclear power program and join a consortium that would oversee the enrichment of low-level uranium inside Iran for an unspecified amount of time. That potential consortium would be expected to include Middle Eastern nations and the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Khamenei said Wednesday that Iran is refusing to allow the United States to give a “green or red light” with its nuclear program and stressed on “national independence.”
A senior Iranian official told CNN on Monday that the US proposal is “incoherent and disjointed, very unrealistic, and with excessive demands.”
US President Donald Trump said on Monday, seemingly contrary to what was proposed to Iran, that the deal will not allow uranium enrichment.
“Under our potential Agreement — WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.
15 days ago
Trump’s trade policy is making China great again — at the US’s expense, new global analysis finds
President Donald Trump’s trade tariff policy has seen America’s favorability plummet while China’s has risen, a new global analysis has found.
Since Trump entered office in January, “the overwhelming majority of countries simultaneously exhibit worsening views of the United States and improving views of China,” according to the analysis by technology research firm Morning Consult, and first reported by Axios.
America’s drop in favorability among the 41 countries surveyed comes as fewer visitors are traveling to the U.S. in part because of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies.
The analysis as of the end of May found China had an 8.8 net favorability rating versus –1.5 for the USA. By comparison, in January 2024 the U.S. was above 20 while China was in the negative.
“This is a first since our tracking began, and includes many of America’s most important economic and military partners, in a clear blow to U.S. soft power,” Morning Consult’s report said.
America’s favorability fell to a new low on Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day,” which the president’s global tariffs caused the markets to hit historic lows before he ordered a 90-day pause one week later.
“America’s global standing fell to a tracking low just after Washington’s reciprocal tariff announcements on April 2, 2025, which tipped net favorability of the United States into negative territory for the first time since January 2022,” according to the report.
The data is based on surveys from 41 countries, including Canada, Mexico, the U.K., France and Russia.
At the end of April, only 13 countries held more favorable views of the U.S. than China, compared to 29 countries surveyed at the start of the year.
A “silver lining,” according to the report, is that “America’s global standing has recently begun to rebound” since Trump put a pause on the reciprocal tariffs. America’s rating also ticked up slightly after Trump reduced tariffs on China last month from 145 percent to 30 percent.
The trade war between the two countries has resumed again after Trump accused China of violating the terms of the agreement in a post on Truth Social.
“The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,” Trump said Friday. “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”
China hit back Monday and also accused the U.S. of doing the same after the Trump administration revealed plans to revoke the visas of Chinese students and attempts to curb China’s access to the most advanced computer chips.
“These practices seriously violate the consensus” of what was agreed in talks in Geneva two weeks ago, the Commerce Ministry said.
President Donald Trump’s trade tariff policy has seen America’s favorability plummet while China’s has risen, a new global analysis has found.
Since Trump entered office in January, “the overwhelming majority of countries simultaneously exhibit worsening views of the United States and improving views of China,” according to the analysis by technology research firm Morning Consult, and first reported by Axios.
America’s drop in favorability among the 41 countries surveyed comes as fewer visitors are traveling to the U.S. in part because of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies.
The analysis as of the end of May found China had an 8.8 net favorability rating versus –1.5 for the USA. By comparison, in January 2024 the U.S. was above 20 while China was in the negative.
“This is a first since our tracking began, and includes many of America’s most important economic and military partners, in a clear blow to U.S. soft power,” Morning Consult’s report said.
America’s favorability fell to a new low on Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day,” which the president’s global tariffs caused the markets to hit historic lows before he ordered a 90-day pause one week later.
“America’s global standing fell to a tracking low just after Washington’s reciprocal tariff announcements on April 2, 2025, which tipped net favorability of the United States into negative territory for the first time since January 2022,” according to the report.
The data is based on surveys from 41 countries, including Canada, Mexico, the U.K., France and Russia.
At the end of April, only 13 countries held more favorable views of the U.S. than China, compared to 29 countries surveyed at the start of the year.
A “silver lining,” according to the report, is that “America’s global standing has recently begun to rebound” since Trump put a pause on the reciprocal tariffs. America’s rating also ticked up slightly after Trump reduced tariffs on China last month from 145 percent to 30 percent.
The trade war between the two countries has resumed again after Trump accused China of violating the terms of the agreement in a post on Truth Social.
“The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,” Trump said Friday. “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”
China hit back Monday and also accused the U.S. of doing the same after the Trump administration revealed plans to revoke the visas of Chinese students and attempts to curb China’s access to the most advanced computer chips.
“These practices seriously violate the consensus” of what was agreed in talks in Geneva two weeks ago, the Commerce Ministry said.
15 days ago
Iran will reject US nuclear deal proposal, diplomat says
"Iran is drafting a negative response to the US proposal, which could be interpreted as a rejection of the US offer," a senior diplomat told Reuters.
Iran is poised to rejecta US proposal to end a decades-long nuclear dispute, an Iranian diplomat said on Monday, slamming it as a "non-starter" that fails to address Tehran's interests and leaves Washington's stance on uranium enrichment unchanged.
“Iran is drafting a negative response to the US proposal, which could be interpreted as a rejection of the US offer,” according to the senior diplomat, who is close to Iran’s negotiating team.
The US proposal for a new nuclear deal was presented to Iran on Saturday by Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who was on a short visit to Tehran and has been mediating nuclear talks between Iran and the US.
But after five rounds of talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to resolve the nuclear standoff, many issues remain unresolved.
Among clashing red lines is Iran’s rejection of a US demand that the Islamic Republic commit to scrapping uranium enrichment, viewed as a potential pathway to developing nuclear bombs.
Tehran says it wants to master nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and has long denied accusations by Western powers that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
"In this proposal, the US stance on enrichment on Iranian soil remains unchanged, and there is no clear explanation regarding the lifting of sanctions," said the diplomat, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Tehran demands the lifting of oil-based sanctions in order for talks to progress
Tehran demands the immediate removal of all US-imposed curbs that impair its oil-based economy. But for the US, the removal of nuclear-related sanctions should be done in phases.
Dozens of Iranian institutions vital to Iran's economy, including its central bank and national oil company, have been sanctioned since 2018 for, according to Washington, "supporting terrorism or weapons proliferation."
Trump's revival of a "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran since his return to the White House in January has included tightened sanctions and threats to bomb Iran if current negotiations yield no deal.
During his first term, Trump in 2018 ditched Iran’s 2015 nuclear pact with six powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled its economy. In return, Tehran has rapidly violated the pact’s curbs on its nuclear program.
The 2015 deal required Iran to take steps to restrict its nuclear program in return for relief from US, EU, and UN economic sanctions.
The diplomat said the assessment of "Iran's nuclear negotiations committee," under the supervision of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was that the US proposal is "completely one-sided" and cannot serve Tehran's interests.
Therefore, the diplomat said, his country considers this proposal a "non-starter" and believes it unilaterally attempts to impose a "bad deal" on Iran through excessive demands.
Two Iranian officials told Reuters last week that Iran may pause uranium enrichment if the US releases frozen Iranian funds and recognizes Tehran's right to refine uranium for civilian use under a "political deal" that could lead to a broader nuclear accord.
"Iran is drafting a negative response to the US proposal, which could be interpreted as a rejection of the US offer," a senior diplomat told Reuters.
Iran is poised to rejecta US proposal to end a decades-long nuclear dispute, an Iranian diplomat said on Monday, slamming it as a "non-starter" that fails to address Tehran's interests and leaves Washington's stance on uranium enrichment unchanged.
“Iran is drafting a negative response to the US proposal, which could be interpreted as a rejection of the US offer,” according to the senior diplomat, who is close to Iran’s negotiating team.
The US proposal for a new nuclear deal was presented to Iran on Saturday by Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who was on a short visit to Tehran and has been mediating nuclear talks between Iran and the US.
But after five rounds of talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to resolve the nuclear standoff, many issues remain unresolved.
Among clashing red lines is Iran’s rejection of a US demand that the Islamic Republic commit to scrapping uranium enrichment, viewed as a potential pathway to developing nuclear bombs.
Tehran says it wants to master nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and has long denied accusations by Western powers that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
"In this proposal, the US stance on enrichment on Iranian soil remains unchanged, and there is no clear explanation regarding the lifting of sanctions," said the diplomat, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Tehran demands the lifting of oil-based sanctions in order for talks to progress
Tehran demands the immediate removal of all US-imposed curbs that impair its oil-based economy. But for the US, the removal of nuclear-related sanctions should be done in phases.
Dozens of Iranian institutions vital to Iran's economy, including its central bank and national oil company, have been sanctioned since 2018 for, according to Washington, "supporting terrorism or weapons proliferation."
Trump's revival of a "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran since his return to the White House in January has included tightened sanctions and threats to bomb Iran if current negotiations yield no deal.
During his first term, Trump in 2018 ditched Iran’s 2015 nuclear pact with six powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled its economy. In return, Tehran has rapidly violated the pact’s curbs on its nuclear program.
The 2015 deal required Iran to take steps to restrict its nuclear program in return for relief from US, EU, and UN economic sanctions.
The diplomat said the assessment of "Iran's nuclear negotiations committee," under the supervision of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was that the US proposal is "completely one-sided" and cannot serve Tehran's interests.
Therefore, the diplomat said, his country considers this proposal a "non-starter" and believes it unilaterally attempts to impose a "bad deal" on Iran through excessive demands.
Two Iranian officials told Reuters last week that Iran may pause uranium enrichment if the US releases frozen Iranian funds and recognizes Tehran's right to refine uranium for civilian use under a "political deal" that could lead to a broader nuclear accord.
16 days ago
China blasts US for its computer chip moves and for threatening student visas....
China blasted the U.S. on Monday over moves it alleged harmed Chinese interests, including issuing AI chip export control guidelines, stopping the sale of chip design software to China, and planning to revoke Chinese student visas.
“These practices seriously violate the consensus” reached during trade discussions in Geneva last month, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.
That referred to a China-U.S. joint statement in which the United States and China agreed to slash their massive recent tariffs, restarting stalled trade between the world’s two biggest economies.
But last month's de-escalation in President Donald Trump’s trade wars did nothing to resolve underlying differences between Beijing and Washington and Monday's statement showed how easily such agreements can lead to further turbulence.
The deal lasts 90 days, creating time for U.S. and Chinese negotiators to reach a more substantive agreement. But the pause also leaves tariffs higher than before Trump started ramping them up last month. And businesses and investors must contend with uncertainty about whether the truce will last.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the U.S. agreed to drop the 145% tax Trump imposed last month to 30%. China agreed to lower its tariff rate on U.S. goods to 10% from 125%.
The Commerce Ministry said China held up its end of the deal, canceling or suspending tariffs and non-tariff measures taken against the U.S. “reciprocal tariffs” following the agreement.
"The United States has unilaterally provoked new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating the uncertainty and instability of bilateral economic and trade relations,” while China has stood by its commitments, the statement said.
It also threatened unspecified retaliation, saying China will “continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
And in response to recent comments by Trump, it said of the U.S.: “Instead of reflecting on itself, it has turned the tables and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus, which is seriously contrary to the facts.”
Trump stirred further controversy Friday, saying he will no longer be nice with China on trade, declaring in a social media post that the country had broken an agreement with the United States.
Hours later, Trump said in the Oval Office that he will speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping and “hopefully we’ll work that out,” while still insisting China had violated the agreement.
“The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,” Trump posted. “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”
The Trump administration also stepped up the clash with China in other ways last week, announcing that it would start revoking visas for Chinese students studying in the U.S.
U.S. campuses host more than 275,000 students from China.
Both countries are in a race to develop advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, with Washington seeking to curb China’s access to the most advanced computer chips. China is also seeking to displace the U.S. as the leading power in the Asia-Pacific, including through gaining control over close U.S. partner and leading tech giant Taiwan.
China blasted the U.S. on Monday over moves it alleged harmed Chinese interests, including issuing AI chip export control guidelines, stopping the sale of chip design software to China, and planning to revoke Chinese student visas.
“These practices seriously violate the consensus” reached during trade discussions in Geneva last month, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.
That referred to a China-U.S. joint statement in which the United States and China agreed to slash their massive recent tariffs, restarting stalled trade between the world’s two biggest economies.
But last month's de-escalation in President Donald Trump’s trade wars did nothing to resolve underlying differences between Beijing and Washington and Monday's statement showed how easily such agreements can lead to further turbulence.
The deal lasts 90 days, creating time for U.S. and Chinese negotiators to reach a more substantive agreement. But the pause also leaves tariffs higher than before Trump started ramping them up last month. And businesses and investors must contend with uncertainty about whether the truce will last.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the U.S. agreed to drop the 145% tax Trump imposed last month to 30%. China agreed to lower its tariff rate on U.S. goods to 10% from 125%.
The Commerce Ministry said China held up its end of the deal, canceling or suspending tariffs and non-tariff measures taken against the U.S. “reciprocal tariffs” following the agreement.
"The United States has unilaterally provoked new economic and trade frictions, exacerbating the uncertainty and instability of bilateral economic and trade relations,” while China has stood by its commitments, the statement said.
It also threatened unspecified retaliation, saying China will “continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
And in response to recent comments by Trump, it said of the U.S.: “Instead of reflecting on itself, it has turned the tables and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus, which is seriously contrary to the facts.”
Trump stirred further controversy Friday, saying he will no longer be nice with China on trade, declaring in a social media post that the country had broken an agreement with the United States.
Hours later, Trump said in the Oval Office that he will speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping and “hopefully we’ll work that out,” while still insisting China had violated the agreement.
“The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,” Trump posted. “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”
The Trump administration also stepped up the clash with China in other ways last week, announcing that it would start revoking visas for Chinese students studying in the U.S.
U.S. campuses host more than 275,000 students from China.
Both countries are in a race to develop advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, with Washington seeking to curb China’s access to the most advanced computer chips. China is also seeking to displace the U.S. as the leading power in the Asia-Pacific, including through gaining control over close U.S. partner and leading tech giant Taiwan.
28 days ago
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Wednesday urged further action to cut off Russia's financial lifelines, following the European Union's adoption of its latest sanctions package against Moscow.
The goal must be to curb "the still considerable flow of money into Russia's state coffers, which helps finance the war in the first place," Pistorius told Deutschlandfunk radio.
Only by doing so, he argued, can the West effectively worsen Russia's ability to sustain its war in Ukraine, pointing to revenues from Russian oil and gas exports.
He also stressed the need to boost Ukraine's rearmament efforts, saying the country has available production capacity in its arms industry but lacks sufficient funding to fully utilize it.
"We will step in together and fill these capacity gaps," Pistorius said.
The goal must be to curb "the still considerable flow of money into Russia's state coffers, which helps finance the war in the first place," Pistorius told Deutschlandfunk radio.
Only by doing so, he argued, can the West effectively worsen Russia's ability to sustain its war in Ukraine, pointing to revenues from Russian oil and gas exports.
He also stressed the need to boost Ukraine's rearmament efforts, saying the country has available production capacity in its arms industry but lacks sufficient funding to fully utilize it.
"We will step in together and fill these capacity gaps," Pistorius said.
2 months ago
Who said panda can eat bamboo to survive...?
China on Monday accused Washington of abusing tariffs and warned countries against striking a broader economic deal with the United States at its expense, ratcheting up its rhetoric in a spiralling trade war between the world's two biggest economies.
Beijing will firmly oppose any party striking a deal at China's expense and "will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner," its Commerce Ministry said.
The ministry was responding to a Bloomberg report, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the Trump administration is preparing to pressure nations seeking tariff reductions or exemptions from the U.S. to curb trade with China, including imposing monetary sanctions.
President Donald Trump paused the sweeping tariffs he announced on dozens of countries on April 2 except those on China, singling out the world's second largest economy for the biggest levies.
China on Monday accused Washington of abusing tariffs and warned countries against striking a broader economic deal with the United States at its expense, ratcheting up its rhetoric in a spiralling trade war between the world's two biggest economies.
Beijing will firmly oppose any party striking a deal at China's expense and "will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner," its Commerce Ministry said.
The ministry was responding to a Bloomberg report, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the Trump administration is preparing to pressure nations seeking tariff reductions or exemptions from the U.S. to curb trade with China, including imposing monetary sanctions.
President Donald Trump paused the sweeping tariffs he announced on dozens of countries on April 2 except those on China, singling out the world's second largest economy for the biggest levies.
2 months ago
Chinese manufacturers of goods from tableware to flooring are flagging profit warnings, scrambling to plan new overseas plants or accelerate offshore projects, while haggling with customers over prices as they reel from President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Trump introduced an additional 34% tariff on Chinese goods as part of steep levies imposed on most U.S. trade partners, bringing the total duties on China this year to 54% and sending global stock markets tumbling.
While some in China's corporate sector have put on a brave face and said the tariffs will have little impact on operations and margins, others have revealed through corporate filings emergency plans to curb losses.
Trump's blanket tariffs threaten to upend supply chains, and navigating the twists and turns of business negotiations and trade policy has become increasingly difficult. His world-wide tariffs strike Chinese exporters' two main strategies to blunt the impact of the trade war: moving some production abroad...
Trump introduced an additional 34% tariff on Chinese goods as part of steep levies imposed on most U.S. trade partners, bringing the total duties on China this year to 54% and sending global stock markets tumbling.
While some in China's corporate sector have put on a brave face and said the tariffs will have little impact on operations and margins, others have revealed through corporate filings emergency plans to curb losses.
Trump's blanket tariffs threaten to upend supply chains, and navigating the twists and turns of business negotiations and trade policy has become increasingly difficult. His world-wide tariffs strike Chinese exporters' two main strategies to blunt the impact of the trade war: moving some production abroad...
2 months ago
China placed export restrictions on rare earth elements on Friday as part of its sweeping response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, squeezing supply to the West of minerals used to make weapons, electronics and a range of consumer goods.
China produces around 90% of the world's rare earths, a group of 17 elements used across the defense, electric vehicle, energy and electronics industries. The United States has only one rare earths mine and most of its supply comes from China.
The export curbs include not only mined minerals but permanent magnets and other finished products that will be difficult to replace, analysts said.
The move, which affects exports to all countries, not just the U.S., is the latest demonstration of China's ability to weaponize its dominance over the mining and processing of the critical minerals.
Seven categories of medium and heavy rare earths, including samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium-related items
China produces around 90% of the world's rare earths, a group of 17 elements used across the defense, electric vehicle, energy and electronics industries. The United States has only one rare earths mine and most of its supply comes from China.
The export curbs include not only mined minerals but permanent magnets and other finished products that will be difficult to replace, analysts said.
The move, which affects exports to all countries, not just the U.S., is the latest demonstration of China's ability to weaponize its dominance over the mining and processing of the critical minerals.
Seven categories of medium and heavy rare earths, including samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium-related items
2 months ago
Turkey scoped out at least three air bases in Syria where it could deploy forces as part of a planned joint defence pact before Israel hit the sites with air strikes this week.
The bombardment signals the risks of a deepening rift between two powerful regional militaries over Syria, where Islamist rebels have installed a new government.
The Israeli strikes on the three sites Turkey was assessing, including a heavy barrage came despite Ankara's efforts to reassure Washington that a deeper military presence in Syria was not intended to threaten Israel.
The Islamists replacing Assad have alarmed Israel, which is wary of an Islamist presence on its border and has lobbied the United States to curb Turkey's growing influence in the country.
Ankara, a longtime backer of opposition to Assad, is positioning to play a major role in the remade Syria, including with a possible joint defence pact that could see new Turkish bases in central Syria and use of Syria's airspace.
The bombardment signals the risks of a deepening rift between two powerful regional militaries over Syria, where Islamist rebels have installed a new government.
The Israeli strikes on the three sites Turkey was assessing, including a heavy barrage came despite Ankara's efforts to reassure Washington that a deeper military presence in Syria was not intended to threaten Israel.
The Islamists replacing Assad have alarmed Israel, which is wary of an Islamist presence on its border and has lobbied the United States to curb Turkey's growing influence in the country.
Ankara, a longtime backer of opposition to Assad, is positioning to play a major role in the remade Syria, including with a possible joint defence pact that could see new Turkish bases in central Syria and use of Syria's airspace.
3 months ago
Ever since the U.S. government restricted sales of advanced AI and HPC processors to China, Chinese entities have used various loopholes to acquire Nvidia's GPUs. Smuggling GPUs from nearby countries to China was one of the easiest ways to get the desired processors, but it looks like it is not going to be that easy anymore: Singapore is cracking down on at least some smugglers, and now Malaysia is tightening oversight of its high-tech exports to China.
Malaysia is reportedly preparing stricter rules for its high-tech sector due to U.S. concerns that advanced processors are being funneled to China, violating American export laws. The United States has asked Malaysia to carefully follow the path of high-performance Nvidia processors entering the country. U.S. officials suspect that many of these chips are being routed to China, bypassing export limits meant to curb Chinese progress in AI and military capabilities. Malaysia formed a task force to tighten oversight.
Malaysia is reportedly preparing stricter rules for its high-tech sector due to U.S. concerns that advanced processors are being funneled to China, violating American export laws. The United States has asked Malaysia to carefully follow the path of high-performance Nvidia processors entering the country. U.S. officials suspect that many of these chips are being routed to China, bypassing export limits meant to curb Chinese progress in AI and military capabilities. Malaysia formed a task force to tighten oversight.
4 months ago
Looking for an edge in the taxi industry? SpotnRides offers AI-based booking apps with multiple features that simplify admin tasks, enhance driver efficiency, and delight customers. Our user-friendly applications provide real-time tracking, intelligent routing, and easy payment options, ensuring a smooth experience for everyone involved
Visit: https://spotnrides.com/
Whatsapp: https://wa.me/919600695595
#taxidispatchsoftware #aibasedtaxiapp #uberclone #ridehailingbusiness #ridesharing #taxibookingapp #ridebooking #taxibookingsoftware #taxibookingapp #uberclonescript #ubercloneappscript #mobileappdevelopmentcompany #ondemandappdevelopment #businessowner #taxifapp #taxieu #g7taxipersonal #grab #careem #lyftclone #capifyclone #didiclone #wheelycloneapp #addisonlee #curb #gettcorporate #bolt #flywheel #blacklane #bitaksiclone #indrive #taximobilitydevelopment #joyride #cabreservationapplication #ondemandrideapp #localridehailingapp #reservationsoftwarefortaxis #airporttransferapp #nextgentaxibookingapp #localshuttletaxi #roundtriptaxi
Visit: https://spotnrides.com/
Whatsapp: https://wa.me/919600695595
#taxidispatchsoftware #aibasedtaxiapp #uberclone #ridehailingbusiness #ridesharing #taxibookingapp #ridebooking #taxibookingsoftware #taxibookingapp #uberclonescript #ubercloneappscript #mobileappdevelopmentcompany #ondemandappdevelopment #businessowner #taxifapp #taxieu #g7taxipersonal #grab #careem #lyftclone #capifyclone #didiclone #wheelycloneapp #addisonlee #curb #gettcorporate #bolt #flywheel #blacklane #bitaksiclone #indrive #taximobilitydevelopment #joyride #cabreservationapplication #ondemandrideapp #localridehailingapp #reservationsoftwarefortaxis #airporttransferapp #nextgentaxibookingapp #localshuttletaxi #roundtriptaxi
4 months ago
US tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China take effect, opening door to painful trade war.
President Donald Trump’s blanket 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada took effect on Tuesday, an extraordinary action aimed at bringing America’s top trading partners to heel. But it threatens to weaken the North American economy, including that of the United States, at a time of significant stress.
Trump also doubled the tariff on all Chinese imports to 20% from 10%. Those duties sit atop existing tariffs on hundreds of billions in Chinese goods.
“While President Trump gave both Canada and Mexico ample opportunity to curb the dangerous cartel activity and influx of lethal drugs flowing into our country, they have failed to adequately address the situation,”
The tariffs threaten to raise the prices Americans pay for a wide array of goods that are imported from the three nations, which collectively shipped $1.4 trillion worth of goods to the US last year.
China, Canada retaliate-
Beijing retaliated on Tuesday by announcing 15% tariffs on chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton imports from the US, according to a statement from the State Council Tariff Commission. Additionally, a 10% tariff on “sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products,” was also imposed, it said.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said it added 15 American companies, including drone maker Skydio, to its export control list, which would bar Chinese companies from exporting dual-use equipment to them.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, said “China will fight till the end” if the US “insists on waging a tariff war, trade war or any other kind of war.”
“I want to reiterate that the Chinese people have never feared evil or ghosts, nor have we ever bowed to hegemony or bullying. Pressure, coercion and threats are not the right ways to engage with China. Trying to exert maximum pressure on China is a miscalculation and a mistake,” he added.
President Donald Trump’s blanket 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada took effect on Tuesday, an extraordinary action aimed at bringing America’s top trading partners to heel. But it threatens to weaken the North American economy, including that of the United States, at a time of significant stress.
Trump also doubled the tariff on all Chinese imports to 20% from 10%. Those duties sit atop existing tariffs on hundreds of billions in Chinese goods.
“While President Trump gave both Canada and Mexico ample opportunity to curb the dangerous cartel activity and influx of lethal drugs flowing into our country, they have failed to adequately address the situation,”
The tariffs threaten to raise the prices Americans pay for a wide array of goods that are imported from the three nations, which collectively shipped $1.4 trillion worth of goods to the US last year.
China, Canada retaliate-
Beijing retaliated on Tuesday by announcing 15% tariffs on chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton imports from the US, according to a statement from the State Council Tariff Commission. Additionally, a 10% tariff on “sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products,” was also imposed, it said.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said it added 15 American companies, including drone maker Skydio, to its export control list, which would bar Chinese companies from exporting dual-use equipment to them.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, said “China will fight till the end” if the US “insists on waging a tariff war, trade war or any other kind of war.”
“I want to reiterate that the Chinese people have never feared evil or ghosts, nor have we ever bowed to hegemony or bullying. Pressure, coercion and threats are not the right ways to engage with China. Trying to exert maximum pressure on China is a miscalculation and a mistake,” he added.
4 months ago
China plans to issue guidance to encourage the use of open-source RISC-V chips nationwide for the first time, two sources briefed on the matter said, as Beijing accelerates efforts to curb the country's dependence on Western-owned technology.
The policy guidance on boosting the use of RISC-V chips could be released as soon as this month, although the final date could change, the sources said.
It is being drafted jointly by eight government bodies, including the Cyberspace Administration of China, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the China National Intellectual Property Administration, they added.
The sources declined to be named as the policy discussions were still under way. The four ministries did not respond to requests for comment.
RISC-V is a open-source technology that is used to design a range of less-sophisticated chips, from those in smartphones to CPUs for artificial intelligence servers.
It competes globally with proprietary and more commonly used chip architecture technology including x86, dominated by U.S. firms Intel and Advanced Micro Devices, and Arm, developed by SoftBank Group-owned Arm Holdings.
The policy guidance on boosting the use of RISC-V chips could be released as soon as this month, although the final date could change, the sources said.
It is being drafted jointly by eight government bodies, including the Cyberspace Administration of China, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the China National Intellectual Property Administration, they added.
The sources declined to be named as the policy discussions were still under way. The four ministries did not respond to requests for comment.
RISC-V is a open-source technology that is used to design a range of less-sophisticated chips, from those in smartphones to CPUs for artificial intelligence servers.
It competes globally with proprietary and more commonly used chip architecture technology including x86, dominated by U.S. firms Intel and Advanced Micro Devices, and Arm, developed by SoftBank Group-owned Arm Holdings.
5 months ago
President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an order to impose stiff tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China, drawing swift retaliation and an undeniable sense of betrayal from the country's North American neighbors as a trade war erupted among the longtime allies.
The Republican president posted on social media that the tariffs were necessary “to protect Americans," pressing the three nations to do more to curb the manufacture and export of illicit fentanyl and for Canada and Mexico to reduce illegal immigration into the U.S.
The tariffs, if sustained, could cause inflation to significantly worsen, threatening the trust that many voters placed in Trump to lower the prices of groceries, gasoline, housing, autos and other goods as he promised. They also risked throwing the global economy and Trump’s political mandate into turmoil.
Trump declared an economic emergency in order to place duties of 10% on all imports from China and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada.
The Republican president posted on social media that the tariffs were necessary “to protect Americans," pressing the three nations to do more to curb the manufacture and export of illicit fentanyl and for Canada and Mexico to reduce illegal immigration into the U.S.
The tariffs, if sustained, could cause inflation to significantly worsen, threatening the trust that many voters placed in Trump to lower the prices of groceries, gasoline, housing, autos and other goods as he promised. They also risked throwing the global economy and Trump’s political mandate into turmoil.
Trump declared an economic emergency in order to place duties of 10% on all imports from China and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada.
5 months ago
Gangs in Haiti could overrun the capital, Port-au-Prince, leading to a complete breakdown of government authority without additional international support for the beleaguered national police, the United Nations chief warned.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report to coincide with a Security Council meeting Wednesday on the deteriorating situation in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country that “time is of the essence.”
Further delays in providing the police with additional officers for the multinational force trying to curb gang violence or additional assistance “carry the risk of a catastrophic collapse of national security institutions,” he said.
“This could allow the gangs to overrun the entire metropolitan area, resulting in a complete breakdown of state authority and rendering international operations, including those to support communities in need, in the country untenable,” Guterres said.
“We must urgently do everything in our power to prevent such an outcome
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report to coincide with a Security Council meeting Wednesday on the deteriorating situation in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country that “time is of the essence.”
Further delays in providing the police with additional officers for the multinational force trying to curb gang violence or additional assistance “carry the risk of a catastrophic collapse of national security institutions,” he said.
“This could allow the gangs to overrun the entire metropolitan area, resulting in a complete breakdown of state authority and rendering international operations, including those to support communities in need, in the country untenable,” Guterres said.
“We must urgently do everything in our power to prevent such an outcome
5 months ago
Vietnam and Russia inked Tuesday an agreement to boost cooperation on nuclear energy during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s two-day visit to Hanoi.
The Southeast Asian country has been trying to revive its nuclear energy plans — after it shelved building two nuclear power plants in 2016 due to ballooning costs and concerns around safety — hoping it will help it become energy-sufficient and reach its goal of curbing additional greenhouse emissions by 2050.
The agreement was signed between Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom and Vietnam’s state-owned power utility EVN.
Mishustin also held bilateral talks with his counterpart Pham Minh Chinh and met Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam and the chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly Tran Thanh Man.
“Vietnam is an important partner of Russia in Southeast Asia," Mishustin said. “Today we plan to discuss with you a comprehensive plan for cooperation between Russia and Vietnam, which runs until 2030.”
The Southeast Asian country has been trying to revive its nuclear energy plans — after it shelved building two nuclear power plants in 2016 due to ballooning costs and concerns around safety — hoping it will help it become energy-sufficient and reach its goal of curbing additional greenhouse emissions by 2050.
The agreement was signed between Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom and Vietnam’s state-owned power utility EVN.
Mishustin also held bilateral talks with his counterpart Pham Minh Chinh and met Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam and the chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly Tran Thanh Man.
“Vietnam is an important partner of Russia in Southeast Asia," Mishustin said. “Today we plan to discuss with you a comprehensive plan for cooperation between Russia and Vietnam, which runs until 2030.”
5 months ago
Six European Union countries on Monday called on the European Commission to lower the $60 per barrel price cap put on Russian oil by G7 countries, arguing it would reduce Moscow's revenues to continue the war in Ukraine while not causing a market shock.
Price caps on Russian seaborne crude as well as refined petroleum products were set by G7 countries to curb Moscow's revenues from oil trade and in this way limit the country's ability to finance its invasion of Ukraine.
"Measures that target revenues from the export of oil are crucial since they reduce Russia's single most important income source," Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia said in a letter to the EU executive arm.
"We believe now is the time to further increase the impact of our sanctions by lowering the G7 oil price cap," it said.
G7 price cap was set at $60 per barrel of Russian crude and for petroleum products at a maximum of $100 per barrel of premium-to-crude products and $45 per barrel
Price caps on Russian seaborne crude as well as refined petroleum products were set by G7 countries to curb Moscow's revenues from oil trade and in this way limit the country's ability to finance its invasion of Ukraine.
"Measures that target revenues from the export of oil are crucial since they reduce Russia's single most important income source," Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia said in a letter to the EU executive arm.
"We believe now is the time to further increase the impact of our sanctions by lowering the G7 oil price cap," it said.
G7 price cap was set at $60 per barrel of Russian crude and for petroleum products at a maximum of $100 per barrel of premium-to-crude products and $45 per barrel
5 months ago
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rolled out an economic plan aimed at curbing imports from China in an apparent nod to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his allegations that Mexico is a back door for Chinese goods entering the United States.
Sheinbaum also used her speech to defend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade pact, only way to compete with China.
The moves come as trade tensions with the United States - Mexico's top trade partner - are heightened on tariff threats from Trump, who has accused Mexico of being a back door for Chinese goods to circumvent existing U.S. tariffs.
Mexico denies such accusations, but has since cracked down on contraband goods coming into the country from Asia and rolled out tariffs targeting e-commerce giants such as Shein and Temu.
"Our objective is to expand to the entire American Continent, which is the vision we want to have in order to be the region with the greatest potential and development in the world," Sheinbaum said.
Sheinbaum also used her speech to defend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade pact, only way to compete with China.
The moves come as trade tensions with the United States - Mexico's top trade partner - are heightened on tariff threats from Trump, who has accused Mexico of being a back door for Chinese goods to circumvent existing U.S. tariffs.
Mexico denies such accusations, but has since cracked down on contraband goods coming into the country from Asia and rolled out tariffs targeting e-commerce giants such as Shein and Temu.
"Our objective is to expand to the entire American Continent, which is the vision we want to have in order to be the region with the greatest potential and development in the world," Sheinbaum said.
6 months ago
China’s new trade war blow could be fatal for US’s ability to arm itself.
In the not so distant future, both China and the United States could be at war, triggering the most significant global crisis since World War Two.
Tensions between the two global superpowers have been steadily escalating, as Beijing prepares its military to capture Taiwan.
In response, Washington’s generals have been steeling themselves for a fight, devising new war-fighting strategies and building new military alliances.
While we’ve not yet reached the stage of a “hot war” just yet, the tech war is well and truly underway.
On Tuesday, China retaliated against US chip export curbs by banning shipments of materials critical to the production of weapons in the other direction.
Military hardware
Most commonly the materials are used to produce everyday items like solar panels, batteries and semiconductors.
In the not so distant future, both China and the United States could be at war, triggering the most significant global crisis since World War Two.
Tensions between the two global superpowers have been steadily escalating, as Beijing prepares its military to capture Taiwan.
In response, Washington’s generals have been steeling themselves for a fight, devising new war-fighting strategies and building new military alliances.
While we’ve not yet reached the stage of a “hot war” just yet, the tech war is well and truly underway.
On Tuesday, China retaliated against US chip export curbs by banning shipments of materials critical to the production of weapons in the other direction.
Military hardware
Most commonly the materials are used to produce everyday items like solar panels, batteries and semiconductors.
7 months ago
Chinese companies should be wary of buying U.S. chips as they are "no longer safe" and buy locally instead, four of the country's top industry associations said on Tuesday in a rare coordinated response to Washington's curbs on Chinese chipmakers.
The two nations have targeted each other's economies in the last few days, escalating tensions even before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. Trump has promised to impose heavy tariffs on imported Chinese goods, reviving a trade war from his first four-year term as president.
The industry association warnings came after the United States on Monday launched its third crackdown in three years on China's semiconductor industry, curbing exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group.
Their advice could affect U.S. chipmaking giants such as Nvidia, AMD, and Intel which, despite export controls, have managed to keep selling products in the Chinese market.
The two nations have targeted each other's economies in the last few days, escalating tensions even before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. Trump has promised to impose heavy tariffs on imported Chinese goods, reviving a trade war from his first four-year term as president.
The industry association warnings came after the United States on Monday launched its third crackdown in three years on China's semiconductor industry, curbing exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group.
Their advice could affect U.S. chipmaking giants such as Nvidia, AMD, and Intel which, despite export controls, have managed to keep selling products in the Chinese market.
7 months ago
Chinese chip companies targeted by Washington with fresh export controls have vowed to speed up supply chain localisation and said they would be able to continue production thanks to recent efforts to build equipment stockpiles.
The latest curbs, the third U.S. crackdown on the Chinese sector in three years, focused on chipmaking equipment, software and high-bandwidth memory. They restrict exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group and ACM Research.
Empyrean, a maker of electronic design automation (EDA) tools also known as Beijing Huada Jiutian Technology, said its inclusion on the list would have little impact on operations.
"The company will seize the development opportunity to accelerate the localisation process of full-process EDA tools,"
Jiangsu Nata Opto-Electronic Material, which manufactures materials used in chipmaking, said it had stocked up and would also make domestic substitutions, but did not provide specifics.
The latest curbs, the third U.S. crackdown on the Chinese sector in three years, focused on chipmaking equipment, software and high-bandwidth memory. They restrict exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group and ACM Research.
Empyrean, a maker of electronic design automation (EDA) tools also known as Beijing Huada Jiutian Technology, said its inclusion on the list would have little impact on operations.
"The company will seize the development opportunity to accelerate the localisation process of full-process EDA tools,"
Jiangsu Nata Opto-Electronic Material, which manufactures materials used in chipmaking, said it had stocked up and would also make domestic substitutions, but did not provide specifics.
7 months ago
The United States launched its third crackdown in three years on China's semiconductor industry, curbing exports to 140 companies including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group
The effort to hobble Beijing's chipmaking ambitions also hits Chinese chip toolmakers Piotech and SiCarrier Technology with new export restrictions as part of the package which also takes aim at shipments of advanced memory chips and more chipmaking tools to China
The move is one of the Biden administration's last large-scale efforts to stymie China's ability to access and produce chips that can help advance artificial intelligence for military applications, or otherwise threaten U.S. national security
The package includes curbs on China-bound shipments of high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, critical for high-end applications like AI training; new curbs on 24 additional chipmaking tools and three software tools; and new export curbs on chipmaking equipment made in countries such as Singapore and Mal
The effort to hobble Beijing's chipmaking ambitions also hits Chinese chip toolmakers Piotech and SiCarrier Technology with new export restrictions as part of the package which also takes aim at shipments of advanced memory chips and more chipmaking tools to China
The move is one of the Biden administration's last large-scale efforts to stymie China's ability to access and produce chips that can help advance artificial intelligence for military applications, or otherwise threaten U.S. national security
The package includes curbs on China-bound shipments of high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, critical for high-end applications like AI training; new curbs on 24 additional chipmaking tools and three software tools; and new export curbs on chipmaking equipment made in countries such as Singapore and Mal
7 months ago
The European Union is proposing to sanction several Chinese firms that it claims helped Russian companies develop attack drones that were deployed against Ukraine.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, is also looking into imposing restrictions on additional Russian oil tankers to curb Moscow’s ability to circumvent existing restrictive measures.
Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in Italy this week are set to pledge “appropriate measures” against China and other countries that are supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. The EU measures would require the backing of all 27 member states.
Chinese Spokeswoman Mao Ning denied the allegations and said that China was opposed to unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law.
“We have never provided any weapons and we have strictly controlled dual-use item, including the export of drones,” she said. “We will take necessary measures to uphold the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.”
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, is also looking into imposing restrictions on additional Russian oil tankers to curb Moscow’s ability to circumvent existing restrictive measures.
Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in Italy this week are set to pledge “appropriate measures” against China and other countries that are supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. The EU measures would require the backing of all 27 member states.
Chinese Spokeswoman Mao Ning denied the allegations and said that China was opposed to unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law.
“We have never provided any weapons and we have strictly controlled dual-use item, including the export of drones,” she said. “We will take necessary measures to uphold the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.”
