Economy

19 September 2024
The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Sept. 18 in response to strong economic data.
A container ship docked at Oi Container Terminal in Tokyo. Japan's overall trade balance in August resulted in a deficit for the second straight month. (Photo by Kohnosuke Urata)
Trade

Japan's exports grew for the ninth straight month in August

Shipments to the U.S. narrowly fell for first decline in almost three years

18 September 2024
Expectations are rising that Japan's next prime minister will bring about political change, but doubt remains whether the ruling party will embrace reform.
Asia Insight

Japan's next prime minister: Old guard, young blood or first woman?

9 candidates line up to lead LDP, which has ruled country for 65 of last 69 years

17 September 2024
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus arriving at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Aug. 8. Yunus is leading a caretaker government after the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh turmoil

Bangladesh eyes 'reset, reform, restart' after U.S. delegation visit

Washington pledges aid as caretaker government pushes toward elections

16 September 2024
Chinese automaker BYD's lowest-priced model in the U.S. would still be the cheapest in the market even with a 100% tariff, according to an industry analyst.
Electric vehicles

Chinese EVs still cheaper than Teslas in U.S. after tariff hike

Supply chain advantages help BYD and others compete on price

15 September 2024
Power grids have become the primary bottleneck for expanding clean energy use in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Datawatch

Renewable energy wasted worldwide due to lack of power grids

Power equal to 480 nuclear reactors unused in U.S. and Europe

14 September 2024
The Thai baht gained 6% against the dollar between Aug. 1 and Sept. 12 thanks partly to a rise in exports.
Currencies

Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian currencies gain as dollar weakens

Southeast Asia enjoys growth; political fears sink Turkish lira, Mexican peso

14 September 2024
Electric vehicle models on display in Beijing. The U.S. enacts a 100% duty on electric vehicles imported from China as well as a 50% tariff on EV batteries, effective Sept. 27.
US-China tensions

U.S. to start steep China tariff hikes on EVs, solar cells, on Sept. 27

Industry group warns of potential for disrupting chip-related supply chains

14 September 2024
Shein and Temu account for over 30% of shipments qualifying for de minimis exemptions from tariffs, according to a congressional report.
Retail

China's Shein and Temu face end to tariff-free imports into U.S.

White House to propose rules to limit 'loophole' for small shipments

14 September 2024
The Republican and Democratic party presidential nominees, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, debate in Philadelphia on Sept. 10 (Source photos by Reuters and AP)
U.S. elections 2024

Trump vows tariffs, Harris blames Xi for hiding COVID in tense debate

Republicans cry foul at 'biased' moderators, while Democrats declare victory

11 September 2024
Final rules for U.S. outbound investment screening program yet to be announced after public consultation ended last month.
US-China tensions

U.S. curbs on China tech investments in final push as election looms

New administration could throw wrench in rules that focus on chips and AI

10 September 2024
A board shows one-year movements in Japan's benchmark stock index in Tokyo on Sept. 9. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Markets

Japanese stocks pare losses after early slide on U.S. economy worries

Markets 'not fully at ease' after weaker-than-expected nonfarm payroll data

9 September 2024
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Beijing during an April trip. She said on Sept. 7 that she plans on meeting her Chinese counterpart again soon.
US-China tensions

U.S. Treasury chief Yellen says she may meet Chinese counterpart

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng visit to happen 'one way or another'

8 September 2024
August payrolls have a tendency to come in weaker relative to the consensus estimate before being revised higher later.
Economy

U.S. job growth misses August expectations with Fed rate cut in sight

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 142,000 jobs last month

6 September 2024
Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 71, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in May in exchange for pleading guilty to conspiring to gather and deliver to China national defense information.
US-China tensions

Washington's trade rules cited as top worry for U.S. businesses in China

Companies report harsher American regulatory scrutiny, supply chain disruptions

6 September 2024
China on Sept. 3 announced it planned to start an anti-dumping investigation into canola imports from Canada, a week after Ottawa imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs and a 25% tariff on its imported steel and aluminum.
Trade war

China requests consultations with Canada at WTO over tariffs

Canadian duties on EVs, steel, aluminum goods met with Beijing's probe into canola imports

6 September 2024
Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Economic Club of New York on Sept. 5.
U.S. elections 2024

Trump vows to create government efficiency commission led by Elon Musk

Former president also doubles down on China trade war in economic policy speech

6 September 2024
Japan's Nippon Steel has proposed acquiring U.S. Steel, but the deal faces stiff opposition in America. (Photos by Nanami Sato and AP)
Business deals

Nippon Steel promises most of U.S. Steel board will be American

Governance policy comes amid resistance to deal from presidential candidates

4 September 2024
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attends a campaign event focused on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities on July 9 in Nevada, one of seven key states that could decide the outcome of November's presidential election.
Asia Insight

Once neglected, Asian Americans now courted in knife-edge election

Tiny margins in battleground states spotlight voters like Wisconsin's Hmong community

3 September 2024
Canola fields surround an oil pump jack before harvesting in rural Alberta, in western Canada, in July 2019.
Trade war

China to start anti-dumping probe into Canada canola imports

Beijing says it will use WTO mechanism following Ottawa's 100% EV tariff

3 September 2024
Central bank moves to aid stock prices risk sowing the seeds of future market instability.
Comment

Crashes hold lesson for central banks: keep markets at arm's length

From Fed's Greenspan to BOJ's Ueda, investor-friendly moves often take a toll

2 September 2024
Marriage of convenience? Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard has made an ambitious, preliminary takeover approach for the Japanese company that owns 7-Eleven. (Photos by Reuters and Yuji Murakami)
Business Spotlight

With 7-Eleven on buyout menu, Japanese owner Seven & i reaches crossroads

Couche-Tard targets food business, U.S. market; regulatory, antitrust issues weigh

30 August 2024
Kamala Harris is the first Indian American and Black woman to be nominated for the U.S. presidency by a major political party.
U.S. elections 2024

Kamala Harris faces challenges in attracting Indian American support

Longtime Democratic voting bloc attracted by Republican tax cuts, small business support

29 August 2024
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, matching U.S. duties, and Trudeau said Canada also would impose a 25% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum.
Trade war

China accuses Canada of protectionism over 100% tariffs on electric vehicles

Commerce Ministry says Beijing will take any measures needed to defend Chinese companies

27 August 2024
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Automobiles

Canada to impose 100% tariff on Chinese EVs, following U.S. lead

Trudeau says Beijing 'is not playing by same rules'; China calls move 'protectionist'

27 August 2024