Expansion of ASEAN-China free-trade pact questioned amid summit
TAIPEI, TAIWAN — As Laos hosts this year’s summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Beijing is calling for additions to its free-trade agreement with the regional forum that focus on smart cities, 5G, artificial intelligence and e-commerce. Ahead…
Global oil traders anxiously await Israel’s expected strikes on Iran
International oil traders have been anxiously watching for Israel’s expected military response to Iran’s latest rocket attack, with prices rising and dipping according to the latest guesses on whether Israel will target Iran’s oil infrastructure and how Tehran might respond….
China targets brandy in EU trade tit-for-tat after EV tariff move
Beijing/Paris — China imposed temporary anti-dumping measures on imports of brandy from the EU on Tuesday, hitting French brands including Hennessy and Remy Martin, days after the 27-state bloc voted for tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, or EVs. China’s commerce…
China is oversupplying lithium to eliminate rivals, US official says
LISBON — Chinese lithium producers are flooding the global market with the critical metal and causing a “predatory” price drop as they seek to eliminate competing projects, a senior U.S. official said on a visit to Portugal that has ample…
Skechers opens store in Xinjiang amid scrutiny over Uyghur forced labor sanctions
Washington — Despite ongoing U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese companies linked to Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang, United States-based footwear and apparel company Skechers opened a new outlet in Urumqi, the region’s capital. The store opened on September 28, days before…
Europe braces for Chinese retaliation over EV import tariffs
The European Union is braced for retaliation from China after the bloc voted Friday to impose tariffs on the import of Chinese electric vehicles, which Brussels says receive unfair state subsidies. As Henry Ridgwell reports, there’s speculation that Beijing could…
Debt burden threatens poor countries’ development goals, UN official says
HAMBURG, Germany — The world’s poorest countries are having to prioritize debt service over investments, United Nations Development Program administrator Achim Steiner said on Monday, scuppering progress towards their sustainable development goals. Speaking at an event in Hamburg, Steiner said…
As affordable housing disappears, states scramble to shore up losses
Los Angeles — For more than two decades, the low rent on Marina Maalouf’s apartment in a blocky affordable housing development in Los Angeles’ Chinatown was a saving grace for her family, including a granddaughter who has autism. But that…
Portugal looks to put new twist on cork industry
Mozelos, Portugal — Portugal, the world’s leading cork producer, is finding new uses for the material, from footwear to furniture, as demand for wine bottle stoppers wanes. Producers highlight the environmentally friendly properties of cork, which is lightweight, recyclable, waterproof…
EU backs tariffs on Chinese EVs despite concerns about Chinese retaliation
European Union countries voted Friday to adopt tariffs of up to 45% on electric vehicles, or EVs, imported from China. Ten countries, including France and Italy, supported the imposition of tariffs, while five countries, including Germany, voted against the proposal….