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Members of Blackpink perform at a 2023 concert in California. Photo: Getty Images for Coachella

Global Economy

Blackpink for Ayumi? Why China may reward South Korea’s soft stance on Japan row

Beijing is reviving stalled trade talks with Seoul as the Lee administration breaks with Tokyo on Taiwan, and analysts say Chinese market access could be the geopolitical prize.

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US Justice Department denies cover-up as Trump photo restored to Epstein files

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Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

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Diplomacy

Rubio swaps hawk for diplomat in year-end pivot on China

Top US envoy eschews ‘pacing threat’ label, stressing cooperation and Western hemisphere priorities for 2026.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his end-of-year press conference at the State Department on Friday. Photo: Reuters
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his end-of-year press conference at the State Department on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Trump Justice Department releases partial set of Epstein files for now

US official says more of the long-awaited documents will follow in coming months, citing legal limits to protect victims and investigations.

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Tech War

US launches review of Nvidia’s H200 chip sales to China: sources

The inter-agency licensing review involves the US departments of Commerce, State, Energy and Defence.

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China Economy

China cuts US Treasury holdings to lowest level since 2008

The stockpile has now fallen to nearly half its November 2013 peak, financial data shows, as long-term sell-off continues.

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China is now in third place among foreign US Treasury holders, behind Japan and the United Kingdom. Photo: dpa
China is now in third place among foreign US Treasury holders, behind Japan and the United Kingdom. Photo: dpa

Diplomacy

Trump signs defence bill restricting investment in Chinese tech, military firms

Key provisions target contracts with Chinese biotech companies and outbound investment in technologies with military applications in China.

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Economy, Trade & Business

TikTok reaches deal on new US venture with American investor group

The deal was signed on Thursday, with the landmark move ending years of legal and political uncertainty.

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Politics

US arms deal supports Taiwan’s effort to reassure Trump on defence burden

Weapons package underpins Taipei’s move towards an asymmetric ‘porcupine’ strategy as Washington presses allies to do more.

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The Javelin is a single man-portable fire-and-forget medium-range antitank weapon system designed to defeat all known and projected threat armor. Photo: Handout

Diplomacy

China reportedly sticking to its soybean deal with US, but worries remain

Beijing secures 7 million tonnes of soybeans, passing halfway mark of its US purchase agreement. However, little has been shipped so far.

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China secures 7 million tonnes of soybeans, passing halfway mark of its US purchase agreement. Photo: The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS
China secures 7 million tonnes of soybeans, passing halfway mark of its US purchase agreement. Photo: The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS

China

US highlights Panama security ties as China-linked canal ports deal stalls

US envoy’s coastguard visit near Panama comes as Beijing presses for Cosco control and Washington pushes back.

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Diplomacy

As Trump upends US foreign policy, analysts see fresh openings for China

After a turbulent year, experts expect continued disruption to reshape global influence, testing alliances and altering the balance of power.

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Politics

Trump gives himself high marks in 2025 report card, with his eyes on 2026 fight

In a White House speech, the president claimed economic and foreign policy wins while urging voters to back his agenda in the midterms.

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US President Donald addresses the nation from the diplomatic reception room at the White House on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Global Economy

‘A risk’: wealthy Chinese appear to shun Trump’s ‘gold card’ immigration scheme

Initial excitement fizzles amid limited benefits and security concerns, immigration agents say.

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US President Donald Trump holds up the original US$5 million gold card as he speaks to reporters while on board Air Force One, on April 3. Photo: AP
US President Donald Trump holds up the original US$5 million gold card as he speaks to reporters while on board Air Force One, on April 3. Photo: AP

China Economy

Explainer | What does future hold for Brazil, US in China’s soybean balancing act?

The two countries remain top suppliers, but efforts to promote self-sufficiency are set to reduce reliance on imports.

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Global Economy

China bets big on copper processing, but ‘weaponisation’ risks are low: analysts

Beijing views copper as critical for EVs and AI, but a reliance on imported ore limits China’s ability to use the strategic metal as leverage.

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US Elections

For lame duck Biden, an anticlimactic exit from the world stage

Outgoing US president, who will give way to Donald Trump in two months, has little to no clout at upcoming global summits.

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US President Joe Biden will leave office on January 20. Photo: AP
US President Joe Biden will leave office on January 20. Photo: AP

Politics

Exclusive | In China, fear of regime change has shaped US policy. Here’s why

For Beijing, regime security is everything and concerns about ‘hostile Western forces’ will continue, no matter who ends up in the White House.

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World

Rise of Asian-American voters in US elections — a visual explainer

Asian-Americans have emerged as a significant voter demographic in the United States. Recent polling sheds light on which candidate they may prefer in 2024.

China

‘Feeling attacked’ by Texas law threat, Chinese-Americans turn to activism

Legislation to bar Chinese citizens from buying property in the state ultimately failed, but many became politically engaged because of it.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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OPINION
Joseph E. Stiglitz

Opinion | How Trump is hastening the end of American hegemony

Joseph E. Stiglitz
Anthony Rowley

Macroscope | Japan’s economic security push heralds rising protectionism in Asia

Anthony Rowley
David Dodwell

Outside In | Six years on, are we better prepared for the next pandemic?

David Dodwell
Wenran Jiang

Opinion | Mark 2025. It’s the year China became a peer power to America

Wenran Jiang
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Michael Edesess

Opinion | Why AI chatbots are unlikely to bring about human extinction

Michael Edesess
Rob York

Opinion | For Trump, the only communists to really dislike are those at home

Rob York
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