66 h. ago China and Japan must beat mutual hostility while also handling tariffs: envoy

China and Japan must work hard to improve public opinion towards each other, Japan’s top envoy in Beijing said, as the Asian neighbours move to stabilise ties amid shared concerns about tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. “The most difficult aspect of current Japan-China relations is the sentiment between the two peoples and, very unfortunately, there are still some negative perceptions that linger in Japan regarding China, and vice versa in the Chinese society regarding Japan,” said...

Politics

1 week ago Musk’s alleged Japan child, ‘Trump and Lee Kuan Yew similar’: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Elon Musk’s alleged child with Japanese pop star sparks online storm in Japan 2. Meet India’s answer to Pakistan’s Chinese jets: the AMCA stealth fighter 3. Trump and Lee Kuan Yew similar in ‘common sense’ approach: Pete Hegseth 4. ‘I’m sad’: Blackpink fans in...

Politics

1 week ago China's Temu and Shein Want to Crack Europe, But the US Is Too Big to Quit

China's Temu and Shein Want to Crack Europe, But the US Is Too Big to Quit  Bloomberg

Politics

2 w. ago Can Japan avoid Trump’s tariffs with semiconductors and defence spending?

Japan is preparing a package of economic incentives – including expanded purchases of semiconductors and increased defence spending – as it seeks to persuade US President Donald Trump to ease the threat of steep tariffs and protect its vital trade and security alliance with Washington. Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, is travelling to Washington this week for talks. On Thursday, he stated that Japan is ready to invest significantly in US military equipment to...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Few options’: Japan minister heads to US with US$6.9 billion spending package

Japan is preparing a package of economic incentives – including expanded purchases of semiconductors and increased defence spending – as it seeks to persuade US President Donald Trump to ease the threat of steep tariffs and protect its vital trade and security alliance with Washington. Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, is travelling to Washington this week for talks. On Thursday, he stated that Japan is ready to invest significantly in US military equipment to...

Economics

2 w. ago White House accuses US court blocking Trump tariffs of ‘judicial overreach’

The White House on Thursday slammed a trade court for blocking US President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, calling the ruling “judicial overreach” and urging the Supreme Court to intervene. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that trade negotiations were continuing with “countries around the world” despite the ruling by the Court of International Trade late Wednesday. Leavitt said later that Trump had a “very good call” with the “leader of Japan”...

Events

2 w. ago Trump’s surreal call to Ishiba not about tariffs, but fighter jets, self

When Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba took a surprise 45-minute call from US President Donald Trump on Friday, Tokyo braced for tough talk on tariffs. Instead, officials were reportedly met with a meandering monologue that some say reflected Trump’s need for affirmation more than any real interest in Japan – or Ishiba. According to insider sources cited in a report published by the Asahi newspaper on Tuesday, Trump spoke at length about his recent Middle East trip, digressed into a...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump’s surreal call to Ishiba not about tariffs, but jets, self

When Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba took a surprise 45-minute call from US President Donald Trump last week, Tokyo braced for tough talk on tariffs. Instead, officials were reportedly met with a meandering monologue that some say reflected Trump’s need for affirmation more than any real interest in Japan – or Ishiba. According to insider sources cited in a report published by the Asahi newspaper on Tuesday, Trump spoke at length about his recent Middle East trip, digressed into a...

Politics

2 w. ago Japan urges its universities to accept Harvard foreign students after Trump ban

Japan has urged its universities to offer places to international students left in limbo by US President Donald Trump’s decision to bar Harvard from enrolling foreigners – a move seen as both a diplomatic gesture and an opportunity to boost Japan’s academic profile amid concerns over US higher education. Education Minister Toshiko Abe said on Tuesday that her ministry had asked all public and private universities to explore offering places to students who were either forced to leave Harvard or...

Politics

3 w. ago Japan follows Trump’s lead, weighs taxing imports from China’s Shein, Temu

The US president’s move to revoke the tax exemption for small parcels from China has spurred other governments to do likewise.

Politics

3 w. ago China puts heavy 75% tax on US imports of vital engineering plastic

China puts heavy 75% tax on US imports of vital engineering plastic  South China Morning Post

Politics

4 w. ago China tariff ‘stacking' pushes true cost of import taxes well above 30% on many consumer products

China tariff ‘stacking' pushes true cost of import taxes well above 30% on many consumer products  NBC10 Philadelphia

Economics