Yesterday
Blow to Labor’s hopes as US seeks ‘across the world’ tariffs
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says America is being “treated like crap by everyone” and wants a a globally consistent tariff regime.
China warns Trump of countermeasures after new tariff threat
Beijing accused Washington of “shifting the blame” on the fentanyl crisis after Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs over deadly drug flows.
How Musk’s Teslas are being outsmarted in China
Strict data privacy laws in China and the US mean Tesla’s cars are dumber than the competition in the world’s biggest consumer market.
February
Taiwan detains Chinese-crewed ship after undersea cable severed
Taiwan is preparing for the worst in an escalating subsea infrastructure battle after authorities detained a Chinese-crewed cargo vessel suspected of sabotage.
Emboldened China signs Pacific mining deal amid Tasman naval drills
A minerals exploration deal between the superpower and the Cook Islands is Beijing’s latest push for influence in a region historically aligned to the West.
China slams Australia for ‘hyping up’ live-fire drills in Tasman Sea
The defence ministry has hit back at Australia’s response to its naval exercises off the east coast, labelling Canberra’s protests as “unreasonable”.
China tests Australia’s, Trump’s resolve on Taiwan
The shifting geopolitical landscape has opened new opportunities for Xi Jinping in his plans to wrest back control of Taiwan. Australia is increasingly exposed.
Flights divert around Chinese live-fire exercise off Australia
Qantas, Virgin and Emirates flights over the Tasman Sea had to change course after an Airservices Australia radio warning, and pilots have reported being harassed.
Back in favour. Why China’s Xi needs Jack Ma more than ever
The Chinese president’s symbolic handshake this week with exiled billionaire Jack Ma shows Beijing needs tech entrepreneurs to revive the economy.
Iron ore hunger drove Japan’s monumental $8.4b Pilbara buy
Japanese firms have spent more than $10 billion on Australian iron ore and coal mines in the past six months as geopolitical and commercial ties converge.
The real reason for Mitsui Japan’s $8.4b iron ore grab
The trading house aims to secure its future steel supplies to South-East Asia to counter China’s influence.
Why China’s state control is a hidden advantage in global AI race
While Western tech giants struggle with AI safety, China’s top-down, censorial approach might be creating more trustworthy systems for business use.
Xi hosts China’s tech leaders as US trade war intensifies
The Chinese president met with private-sector technology bosses as Beijing grapples with a slowing economy and escalating tech tensions with Washington.
How China’s ‘six little dragons’ are disrupting AI as we know it
On the shores of Hangzhou’s West Lake, emerging companies backed by massive state support are aiming for artificial intelligence domination.
Australia locks out China from PNG ports as military tensions flare
Australia’s $4 billion taxpayer-funded Pacific bank has signed a deal to upgrade one of Papua New Guinea’s major ports and keep Beijing out.
China’s Xi plays cool hand in Trump’s tariff war
The presidents face off in trade negotiations, but Beijing’s measured response to new levies shows just how much it has learned since last time.
China hits back at Trump with tariffs on US coal, LNG, crude
China will impose a 15 per cent tariff on coal and LNG products and 10 per cent on crude oil and other products in response.
Trump tariffs could hit Australian miners through China slowdown
Fresh US levies could knock Australia’s bottom line through reduced demand for key commodities, as Chinese manufacturers face mounting pressure to cut output.
January
Rio Tinto offers $472m to settle Mongolian mine tax dispute
The miner is hoping the deal will settle the Oyu Tolgoi tax stoush as it ties up loose ends over its copper bet amid the Glencore merger speculation.
Star’s Macau mystery man is a coal magnate with a taste for luxury
Why did Xingchun Wang choose now to invest in Australia’s gambling industry? The plot thickens in casino-friendly Macau, the Chinese special administrative region where he resides.