1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week ago US targets Chinese student visas, Trump tariffs blocked: SCMP daily highlights

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. A US court has blocked Trump’s tariffs. What does that mean for China? A US court order blocking President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs marks a setback for the US leader, but is unlikely to provide China and other American trading partners with more than a temporary reprieve, analysts said. 2. US to start ‘aggressively’ revoking visas for Chinese...

Politics

1 week ago A US court has blocked Trump’s tariffs. What does that mean for China?

A US court order blocking President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs marks a setback for the US leader, but is unlikely to provide China and other American trading partners with more than a temporary reprieve, analysts said. The Trump administration has already filed an appeal to stop the tariff block with a Federal Circuit court, and even if that effort fails he could potentially reinstate the tariffs using other methods, they added. A three-judge panel at the New York-based US Court of...

Politics

2 w. ago BYD overtakes Tesla in Europe for the first time as sales jump 169% in April

BYD sold more battery electric vehicles (BEVs) than market leader Tesla in Europe for the first time last month, as the Chinese carmaker continued to make inroads despite hefty tariffs on cars imported from the mainland. Shenzhen-based BYD, which also makes plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), sold 7,231 BEVs in April, a year-on-year increase of 169 per cent, according to data compiled by market research firm Jato Dynamics from 28 countries in Europe. Tesla’s sales fell 49 per cent to 7,165 units in the...

Politics

2 w. ago Why did Taiwan’s William Lai tone down his rhetoric on mainland China?

Lai omitted references to Beijing in a speech marking his first year in office this week, a change noted on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Politics

2 w. ago PLA conducts amphibious landing drill in strait as Taiwanese leader marks first year

The 73rd Group Army exercises tactics and skills of near-shore driving and landing operations with armoured amphibious vehicles.

Politics

3 w. ago Taiwan’s William Lai enters second year in office with troubles mounting on all sides

No honeymoon for the leader called inflexible, ineffectual in relations with Washington, and still on a collision course with Beijing.

Politics

3 w. ago William Lai vows to protect Taiwan security and industry in speech marking year as leader

After island’s shock at Trump’s 32% tariff move, leader commits to ‘never sacrificing any single sector’ in discussions with US.

Politics

3 w. ago Taiwan’s William Lai vows to protect security, industry in speech marking year as leader

After island’s shock at Trump’s 32 per cent tariff move, leader commits to ‘never sacrificing any single sector’ in talks with US.

Politics