Failed peace talks and the ongoing disruption at the Strait of Hormuz reminded the world what a chokepoint looks like. Oil spiked. The Dow dropped. Investors scrambled for safe havens. Then, just as quickly, the tension eased again. This kind of week forces a question: what other chokepoints are hiding in plain sight? There’s one…
Deep Dive delves into hot issues in Hong Kong and mainland China. Our easy-to-understand articles provide context to grasp what’s happening, while our questions help you craft informed responses. Check sample answers at the end of the page. Rare earth minerals are crucial for many technologies, from smartphones to electric vehicles and weapons. China is…
Chinese and US trade negotiators have lined up an array of diplomatic wins for Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to unveil at a summit this week. Those easy hits are pleasing investors, but leave deeper core conflicts unresolved. US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping shake hands(REUTERS) President Donald Trump told reporters on…
By Rozanna Latiff and David Lawder KUALA LUMPUR/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Top economic officials from the U.S. and China are due to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Friday for talks to prevent a trade war escalation and keep next week’s meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on track. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott…
The Trump administration insists it holds the upper hand as trade friction with Beijing has reignited over its sweeping rare-earths export controls. While President Donald Trump’s initial response was to announce an additional 100% tariff and software restrictions on China, which controls more than 90% of the world’s processed rare earths and rare earth magnets,…
By Melanie Burton MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Australia is formulating a plan for its critical minerals reserve that will focus on sales of future production, limiting the need for a physical stockpile, industry sources said, as Australian and U.S. leaders prepare to meet next week. Australia’s critical minerals task force hosted a call last week with miners…
By Eduardo Baptista and Selena Li BEIJING/HONG KONG (Reuters) -China called U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs on Chinese goods hypocritical on Sunday and defended its curbs on exports of rare earth elements and equipment, but stopped short of imposing new levies on U.S. products. Trump on Friday responded to Beijing’s most recent export controls…
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will have plenty to discuss this week in their first conversation since June, with TikTok, Boeing planes, rare earth magnets and Taiwan among top items for negotiation. The leaders are set to speak in advance of a potential in-person summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific…
By Eric Onstad and Amy Lv LONDON/BEIJING (Reuters) -Prices of two rare earth elements needed for super-strong magnets have surged to their highest in more than two years after U.S. miner MP Materials (MP) stopped raw material exports to leading magnet maker China amid rising demand. China dominates the global supply chain for rare earths,…
Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump says China must ensure rare earth magnets or face 200% tariffs US President Donald Trump said on Monday that China must ensure the US supply of rare earth…