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Economy

Lunar New Year travel offers boost to China’s economic woes

China’s annual mass migration ahead of the Lunar New Year will peak with billions of trips anticipated during this year’s holiday, which begins Tuesday. An estimated 9 billion trips are expected. This year’s holiday lasts from Jan. 28 through Feb….

Trump to global businesses: Make products in US or pay tariffs

President Donald Trump laid out his approach to foreign investment to the world’s largest gathering of global business leaders, offering investors a take-it-or-leave-it deal to build in the U.S. or face stiff tariffs. VOA White House Correspondent Anita Powell reports….

US lawmakers seek to end China’s special trade status, import exemption

WASHINGTON —  U.S. lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill on Thursday that would revoke China’s preferential trade status with the United States, phase in steep tariffs and end the “de minimis” exemption for low-value Chinese imports. The bill, introduced by John…

Nigeria’s new BRICS partner status sparks economic optimism, debate

ABUJA, NIGERIA —  Nigerian authorities said this week that the nation’s new partnership status with the BRICS bloc could unlock critical opportunities in trade, investment and agriculture. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s special adviser told Lagos-based Channels Television that the partnership,…

Trump’s 2nd term: Hopes for economic prosperity amid new challenges

Many American voters are hopeful that President Donald Trump’s second term, which began on Jan. 20, will usher in a period of economic prosperity — much like they felt during his first term. However, the economy he is inheriting this…

Trump holds off on immediate tariffs but plans trade overhaul

President Donald Trump did not immediately impose tariffs on Monday as previously promised but directed federal agencies to “investigate and remedy” persistent U.S. trade deficits and unfair trade practices and currency manipulation by other countries. Trump, sworn in on Monday,…

Chinese economic growth among slowest in decades

BEIJING —  China recorded one of its slowest rates of economic growth in decades last year, data showed Friday, as leaders nervously eye a potential trade standoff with incoming U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Beijing has in recent months announced its…

Pakistan welcomes World Bank’s $20 billion lending pledge

ISLAMABAD —  Pakistan confirmed on Wednesday that the World Bank has pledged to lend $20 billion over the next decade, commencing in 2026 under its Country Partnership Framework, to help address the impoverished country’s acute development challenges. Prime Minister Shehbaz…

Trump says he will create an ‘External Revenue Service’ agency to collect tariff income

Washington —  President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced plans to create a new agency called the External Revenue Service to collect tariffs and other revenues from foreign nations. “We will begin charging those that make money off of us with…

China’s EV sales surge in 2024; foreign automakers struggle in shifting market

A new industry report released Monday shows China made big strides last year toward an EV-driven future, as domestic sales of all types of electric vehicles rose by 40% in 2024. Sales of gasoline powered cars tumbled, including foreign imports….