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China's industrial profit growth quickens even as Iran war heightens risks

China's industrial profit growth quickens even as Iran war heightens risks

BEIJING, April 27 (Reuters) - Profits at China's industrial firms grew at their quickest pace in half a year last month, adding to broader signs of an uneven economic recovery in the first quarter as policymakers brace for the impact of the Middle East war.
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LNG tanker orders gain pace despite mixed outlook from Iran war

LNG tanker orders gain pace despite mixed outlook from Iran war

By Emily Chow SINGAPORE, April 27 (Reuters) - Global orders to build liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGC) are set to rebound this year after a 2025 slump as growing LNG output and vessel fuel efficiency drive demand, industry executives and analysts say.
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Kia Reduces EU Prices Amid Rising Chinese EV Registrations, Impacting Profit Margins

Kia Reduces EU Prices Amid Rising Chinese EV Registrations, Impacting Profit Margins

Kia Reduces EU Prices Amid Rising Chinese EV Registrations, Impacting Profit Margins
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China-Myanmar Border Trade and Mining Cooperation: Impact on Global Rare Earth Supply

China-Myanmar Border Trade and Mining Cooperation: Impact on Global Rare Earth Supply

The China-Myanmar border trade and mining cooperation is a critical component of the global rare earth supply chain. Myanmar has emerged as China's largest external supplier of heavy rare earth elements, contributing approximately 57% of China's total rare earth imports by value in the first half of 2023. The trade relationship is characterized by Myanmar exporting raw materials, such as heavy rare earths, to China, while China exports manufactured goods back to Myanmar. This relationship is structurally asymmetric, reinforcing Myanmar's economic dependency on China. The February 2021 military coup in Myanmar has further complicated the trade dynamics, leading to a redistribution of border control and the emergence of Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) as key players in the trade routes. The United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) now control significant portions of the border trade, influencing the flow of goods and mining operations.
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Foundation Secures Pentagon Contract for Humanoid Robot Soldiers Testing in Ukraine

Foundation Secures Pentagon Contract for Humanoid Robot Soldiers Testing in Ukraine

Foundation Secures Pentagon Contract for Humanoid Robot Soldiers Testing in Ukraine
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BRICS Trade Turnover Between China and Iran Falls Amid Conflict

BRICS Trade Turnover Between China and Iran Falls Amid Conflict

Trade turnover between BRICS members China and Iran has decreased by 56.7% due to the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel. According to the General Administration of Customs of China, Chinese imports of Iranian products fell significantly during the second quarter, amounting to $415.5 million. The decline in trade is attributed to the conflict's impact on economic relations between the two countries. China, which had been using the yuan for settlements with Iran, faces challenges in its efforts to internationalize its currency due to the reduced trade turnover.
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Pakistan Ambassador's Visit to Yangzhou Aims to Enhance Investment and Agricultural Cooperation

Pakistan Ambassador's Visit to Yangzhou Aims to Enhance Investment and Agricultural Cooperation

Pakistan's ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, recently visited Yangzhou to strengthen bilateral cooperation in investment, trade, and agriculture. During his visit, Hashmi met with Yangzhou's Party Secretary, Wang Jinjian, and Mayor, Zheng Haitao, to discuss enhancing business-to-business linkages and collaboration under the Punjab–Jiangsu sister-province framework. The ambassador also visited FAMSUN, a company specializing in integrated agricultural technology solutions, and participated in a forum with leading agriculture enterprises. Discussions focused on agricultural modernization, agro-processing, and capacity building. Both parties agreed to leverage Yangzhou's industrial strengths in agriculture modernization, automotive manufacturing, and energy storage systems to deepen economic engagement. Hashmi invited Yangzhou-based companies to a B2B investment conference in Hangzhou and expressed interest in co-organizing investment roadshows in China and Pakistan.
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Iran Conflict Spurs Global Shift to Clean Energy, China Emerges as Key Beneficiary

Iran Conflict Spurs Global Shift to Clean Energy, China Emerges as Key Beneficiary

The ongoing conflict in Iran has led to significant disruptions in global oil supplies, particularly after the Iranian military blocked the Strait of Hormuz. This has prompted many countries to seek alternative energy sources, with a notable increase in the adoption of renewable energy technologies. China, as the world's leading manufacturer of solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles, has seen a surge in exports of these technologies. In March, Chinese exports of solar technology reached a record 68 gigawatts, marking a 50% increase from the previous record. This shift is largely driven by the need to mitigate the impact of the oil supply shock, with countries in Asia and Africa, heavily reliant on Middle Eastern energy imports, leading the charge in renewable energy adoption.
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China Criticizes EU's 'Made in Europe' Plan, Threatens Countermeasures

China Criticizes EU's 'Made in Europe' Plan, Threatens Countermeasures

China has expressed strong opposition to the European Union's 'Made in Europe' initiative, which aims to bolster EU industries against competition from China. The plan, unveiled in March, requires companies seeking public funds in strategic sectors to meet minimum EU-made parts thresholds. Beijing's commerce ministry has labeled the act as 'systemic discrimination' and warned of countermeasures if the legislation proceeds. The proposal, known as the 'Industrial Accelerator Act,' targets Chinese manufacturers of batteries and electric vehicles, requiring them to partner with European firms and share technological know-how. European businesses have long complained about unfair competition from subsidized Chinese rivals.
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US to hold public hearings on April 28-29 related to probes of forced labor

US to hold public hearings on April 28-29 related to probes of forced labor

April 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Trade Representative's office said on Friday it would hold public hearings next week regarding a set of ongoing Section 301 unfair trade practices investigations into dozens of countries suspected of failing to act to prevent imports of goods made using forced labor.
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USA Rare Earth Acquires Brazilian Mine to Strengthen Supply Chain

USA Rare Earth Acquires Brazilian Mine to Strengthen Supply Chain

USA Rare Earth Acquires Brazilian Mine to Strengthen Supply Chain
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U.S. State Department Issues Global Warning on Alleged AI Theft by Chinese Firms

U.S. State Department Issues Global Warning on Alleged AI Theft by Chinese Firms

The U.S. State Department has initiated a global campaign to highlight alleged intellectual property theft by Chinese companies, including AI startup DeepSeek, from American AI labs. According to a diplomatic cable seen by Reuters, the initiative aims to warn about the risks associated with using AI models derived from U.S. proprietary technology. The cable outlines concerns over the distillation process, where smaller AI models are trained using outputs from larger, more expensive models, potentially lowering costs but compromising security and performance. DeepSeek, which recently launched a new AI model adapted for Huawei chip technology, has not shared its developments with American engineers, instead providing early access to Chinese firms. The State Department's actions come amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China over technological advancements and intellectual property rights.