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US

Politics
Diplomacy
Economy, Trade & Business
Society & Culture
Science & Technology
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo: EPA

China

US’ Bessent says China eyeing more Boeing purchases ahead of Xi visit

Treasury chief says US-China ties are stable but warns reliance on China in critical minerals, chips and medicines is unacceptable.

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China, EU slam proposed US tariffs, reject forced labour claims

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‘I will sell to someone else’: Brazil’s Lula hits back at US after China beef win

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Global Economy

China among top buyers as gold overtakes US Treasuries in global reserves: ECB

Higher prices and global shocks have fuelled demand for gold, as central banks hedge against uncertainty.

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Gold buying reached historic highs in 2025, driven by geopolitical risks and higher valuations. Photo: dpa
Gold buying reached historic highs in 2025, driven by geopolitical risks and higher valuations. Photo: dpa

Diplomacy

China opens door to all Brazilian beef, then slams it with a 55% surtax

Recognition lifts a long-standing sanitary barrier, but an import quota in force since January caps how far Brazilian beef sales can grow.

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Economy, Trade & Business

Trump looks to balance ‘lead over China’ and national security with AI order

Voluntary framework to vet powerful new AI systems up to 30 days before their public release, stopping short of mandating review regulations.

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China

US and China have ‘no choice’ but to talk despite ‘long-term problems’: Rubio

Top diplomat said dialogue was essential to prevent tensions over Taiwan, trade and security from escalating into a broader conflict.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senators that the US and China had “no choice” but to maintain dialogue. Photo: Getty Images
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senators that the US and China had “no choice” but to maintain dialogue. Photo: Getty Images

Diplomacy

Trump ally with no known experience made new US acting intelligence chief

Bill Pulte, the chief of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, replaces Tulsi Gabbard to oversee 18 intelligence agencies.

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Global Economy

The next tech war? Why biotech may become a new US-China battleground

China’s biotech industry is rapidly moving up the value chain, prompting fears in the US and calls for tighter controls.

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United States & Canada

Senators blast Trump over export of AI chips to overseas units of Chinese firms

Elizabeth Warren called on the commerce secretary to testify on the issue amid concerns over fuelling China’s military capabilities.

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

China urges Brazil to jointly repel ‘external challenges’ as ties deepen

Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira meets Wang Yi and Han Zheng as Brazil seeks key stable fertiliser supply amid US-Iran conflict.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

United States & Canada

Trump’s US$1.8 billion ‘weaponisation’ fund on hold amid Republican revolt

Senate Republicans opposed the fund, citing concerns over taxpayer-funded payouts to January 6 participants.

United States & Canada

Court blocks US military removing transgender troops for now

Appeals court shields current service members from discharge while leaving wider enlisting restrictions in place.

China

US and China hold ‘candid’ maritime military safety talks in Hawaii

Officials discussed ways to avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations during encounters between their forces.

Beijing says US military patrols and exercises with allies in the South China Sea threaten regional stability. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

US-Iran diplomacy mired in uncertainty as Trump claims Lebanon de-escalation

Israeli leader vows to continue operations in southern Lebanon despite the US president claiming ‘no Troops going to Beirut’.

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An Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Tyre in southern Lebanon on Monday. Photo: AFP
An Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Tyre in southern Lebanon on Monday. Photo: AFP

United States & Canada

Key hearing for accused Charlie Kirk killer will be public

Judge rules hearing for accused killer Tyler Robinson will be open despite defence objections.

Diplomacy

Xi-Trump aftermath, space tactics, AI policy change: 7 US-China relations reads

From Xi-Trump meeting analysis to soybean worries and tech plans, here are highlights from our correspondents in the second half of May 2026.

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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
Richard Heydarian

Opinion | Will the US’ Pax Silica deliver for the Philippines?

Richard Heydarian
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Athanasios Platias,Vasilis Trigkas

Opinion | US quietly plays the long game on energy dominance against China

Athanasios Platias
Vasilis Trigkas
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Bryan Luk,Leonard Luk

Opinion | For SpaceX, global dominance may not be written in the stars

Bryan Luk
Leonard Luk
Anthony Rowley

Macroscope | Why bond yields are going up everywhere

Anthony Rowley
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Bernard Chan

Opinion | TV coverage of Trump’s visit showed Americans how ordinary Chinese live

Bernard Chan
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Albert Bakhtizin

Opinion | 3 paths to stability in a conflict-ridden world

Albert Bakhtizin
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