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Trade
News about international trade flows, statistics and policy decisions from the world’s most important trading economies and trade-related bodies, including the World Trade Organisation.
US President Donald Trump announces worldwide tariffs on April 2, 2025. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
2026 Trump-Xi summit

China urges US to drop trade probe as key Trump-Xi summit approaches

The White House’s Section 301 investigations were launched to identify structural excess capacity among 16 trading partners, including China.

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China-Latin America relations

Panama minister slams China ship crackdown, tells deputies in Beijing: push back

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China's military weapons

Will new Saudi-Pakistan defence pact give Chinese arms risk-free exposure?

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China-Australia relations

China’s fight for Darwin Port could help fragile Sino-Australian relations

Landbridge Group’s legal claim over the port could take several years to resolve, analysts said, providing more time for dialogue.

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China’s Landbridge Group has launched legal action against Australia after failing to reach an agreement over Darwin port in the Northern Territory city of Darwin. Photo: Handout
United States

Pulitzers honour damning coverage of Trump and his policies

The annual awards overseen by Columbia University recognised coverage of Trump’s immigration crackdown and his enrichment of his allies.

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China-Latin America relations

China consul in Tijuana warns against protectionism as USMCA review nears

Fu Xinrong pitched Beijing’s model of shared modernisation to Mexican business leaders, weeks before a contentious USMCA review.

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Iran war could give Xi the upper hand in meeting with Trump: US experts

The conflict is likely to give Beijing an edge in discussions on hi-tech supply chains and Taiwan, analysts argue.

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US President Donald Trump might ask his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to “twist some arms” in Tehran, according to one US analyst. Photo: AP
South Korea

Seoul says ‘explosion and fire’ on South Korean ship in Hormuz strait

The vessel is a cargo ship of almost 180 metres (590 feet) sailing under the flag of Panama.

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Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

China consumption

Shenzhen’s economic dilemma: soaring GDP, stagnant consumption

Shenzhen’s retail sales barely rose in the first quarter despite strong GDP growth, a sign of the Chinese tech hub’s unbalanced development.

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People shop at CoCo Park in Shenzhen last month. Photo: Edmond So
US-China relations

Exiting China market a ‘self-inflicted wound’ for US tech, think tank warns

ITIF argues that regional sales help finance domestic R&D and block local rivals, while warning that a full exit would be a self-inflicted wound to innovation leadership.

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Visitors take pictures and videos of a human-like robot head on display at the Humanoid Robots Industry Base in Beijing’s Shougang Park on April 28. Photo: AP
China-EU relations

Opinion | ‘Made in Europe’ law sets stage for an economic showdown with China

The proposed legislation is seen as discriminatory to China and could also hurt Chinese interests in non-EU European states.

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China trade

China’s critical minerals grip faces test as new Asian financing tool launches

Japan, Britain and other nations have pledged millions to the new scheme, as China’s dominance of critical minerals sector faces fresh challenge.

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Singapore

Singapore, New Zealand ink world first deal to secure essential supplies

Both governments committed not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on crucial goods such as food, fuel and healthcare products.

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A container ship docks at Singapore’s port on April 14. Photo: Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US will ‘guide’ ships out of Hormuz, as vessels attacked

US to launch new mission dubbed ‘Project Freedom’ as Tehran signals interference would be seen as a ceasefire violation.

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The USS Michael Murphy patrolling the Arabian Sea during a maritime blockade in April. Photo: US Navy via AFP
Middle East

‘Structural shift’: new routes for Middle East freight to bypass Hormuz

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE lead a push for a new trade architecture with multiple nodes linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

Saudi Arabia

UAE’s Opec exit signals aim to accelerate foreign policy diversification

Iran’s attacks on Gulf states have forced Abu Dhabi to rethink its place within the Saudi Arabia-led diplomatic architecture, analysts say.

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Banking & finance

Macroscope | Mini-crises sparked by the Iran war may add up to a big collapse

From energy, inflation and trade to slowing global growth and investment uncertainty, these mini-crises have the makings of a massive crisis.

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The United Arab Emirates said on April 28 it would leave Opec and Opec+ on May 1. Photo: EPA
China trade

Durian Express? China brings in cheaper fruit with new Southeast Asia train

A new cold-storage rail service is whisking mountains of durians from Thailand to China, reducing prices for the prized fruit.

Malaysia

From Malaysia’s book bans to Iran war, Anwar’s reform agenda faces sternest test

Anwar’s government has tilted to the right in recent years in a move to win the support of Malay voters, analysts say.

United States

Trump expands Cuba sanctions with global reach, targeting foreign banks and firms

New executive order allows US to penalise third-country actors, raising risks for international companies.

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Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel (centre, in red hat) marches in a May Day parade in Havana, Cuba, on Friday. Photo: pool via Reuters
US-China trade war

US sanctions China-based operator, others over alleged Iran oil trade links

State Department targets Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal for allegedly importing ‘tens of millions of barrels of sanctioned Iranian crude oil’.

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Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz off Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on March 11. Photo: AP
Donald Trump

Trump to put 25% tariffs on EU cars, says bloc not complying with trade deal

The status of the pact was first put in doubt after the Supreme Court ruled the president lacked legal authority for his duties on EU goods.

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United States

Wall Street rises towards more records as oil prices slip

The main uncertainty for the global economy is where oil prices will go because of the Iran war.

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China-Latin America relations

Beijing backs Cuba, Chile reveals smuggling ring: Latin America relations reads

From a smuggling ring in Chile to rare earth wrangling in Brazil, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026.

People walk past a mural with the Cuban flag in Havana, Cuba, on April 15. Photo: EPA
Ukraine war

Ukraine sees path to Japanese arms after Tokyo eases export rules

Japan has linked Ukraine’s fate to its own security as it faces China’s growing military power.

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Ukraine’s Ambassador to Japan Yurii Lutovinov poses next to a mockup of a Ukrainian-made Vampire drone during an interview at the Ukraine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
China economy

Outside In | China’s manufacturing rise is here to stay. The West must recalibrate

The changes are structural and protectionism will only weaken long-term growth.

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US-China trade war

From apps to autos: China’s data reach sparks US espionage and sabotage concerns

Washington accused of not doing enough to counter Beijing’s harvesting of key American data and weaponising it as a strategic asset.

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