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China holds out hope last-minute deal can avert US trade war
China holds out hope last-minute deal can avert US trade war
by  AFP

China's new tariffs on US imports like oil, coal and cars are relatively modest in scale, suggesting that Beijing is hoping for a last-minute deal but also giving them the option to inflict more pain if needed, analysts say. Far from inflicting deep pain, analysts say Beijing's goal is to send a message to Washington: that China can and will retaliate to swingeing tariffs.

Toyota announces Lexus EV plant in Shanghai
Toyota announces Lexus EV plant in Shanghai
by  AFP

Japan's Toyota said Wednesday it will build an electric vehicle plant in Shanghai for its luxury Lexus brand, at a time when many foreign car companies are struggling in China. Toyota said it had "decided to establish a wholly owned company for the development and production of Lexus BEVs (battery electric vehicles) and batteries in Shanghai, China".

Asian markets stutter as traders weigh China-US trade flare-up
Asian markets stutter as traders weigh China-US trade flare-up
by  AFP

Asian markets stumbled Wednesday and gold hit a new record as investors kept tabs on China and the United States after they exchanged tariffs, sparking fears of another debilitating trade war between the economic superpowers. Gold hit a fresh peak of $2,853.82 as investors rushed into the safe-haven metal.

Honda shares jump on reports it wants Nissan as subsidiary
Honda shares jump on reports it wants Nissan as subsidiary
by  AFP

Honda shares surged in Tokyo on Wednesday as Japanese media said the automaker had proposed making its struggling rival Nissan a subsidiary -- with some reports saying the move could spell the end of their merger talks.

What Elon Musk's Twitter tactics may bode for US government
What Elon Musk's Twitter tactics may bode for US government
by  AFP

As Elon Musk and his aides take control of the US Treasury's payments system, the drastic job cuts and other shake-ups he instituted on buying Twitter may offer a preview of what government workers can expect. At Twitter Elon asked workers who wanted to stay for hard core devotion to their jobs.

'Rare earths' for aid: Ukraine's minerals threatened by war
'Rare earths' for aid: Ukraine's minerals threatened by war
by  AFP

US President Donald Trump has signalled he could trade aid to Kyiv in its fight against Russia's invasion for access to Ukraine's "rare earth" metals, key elements used in electronics. - 'Critical' materials - Trump said on Monday he wanted to negotiate an agreement in which Kyiv guarantees supplies of the specific category of rare earth metals.

Australia bans DeepSeek AI program on govt devices
Australia bans DeepSeek AI program on govt devices
by  AFP

Australia has banned DeepSeek from all government devices as it seeks to block "an unacceptable level of security risk" presented by China's breakout artificial intelligence program, according to an official order Tuesday.