This Month
Reality bites critical-minerals hopes
Australia’s ambition of processing critical minerals is still mostly a dream, and one that won’t persuade Donald Trump to withhold tariffs on our exports.
Japan doubles down on warnings to Australian gas exporters
A senior executive from power giant JERA warned that Australian companies’ preferred supplier status was at risk because of rising costs and regulation.
China bolsters defence budget to build bigger military
China is increasing its defence spending and looks to fire up its sluggish economy, in the midst of a trade war with the United States.
China steps up stimulus amid escalating trade war
Premier Li Qiang warns that “changes unseen in a century are unfolding across the world at a faster pace”.
Eucalyptus says weight loss drugs sales are booming
A steady supply of weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro has helped lift Eucalyptus’ revenue from $78 million to $121 million last financial year.
February
US giant MidOcean linked to Barossa gas stake interest
Santos boss Kevin Gallagher says he is not surprised by interest from outside suitors.
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.
Japan turns up to iron ore party as it winds down
Japanese buyers are known for three things in Australian deals: clean bids, strategic moves and sometimes being late to the party. Its $8 billion bet on the Pilbara could be all three.
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.
Ally Japan seeks exemption from Trump’s tariffs
Tokyo joins Canberra among those trying to avoid the US president’s aggressive “reciprocal” tariffs announced last week.
Honda reports higher profits as it ends merger talks with Nissan
The carmakers finalised their decision to abandon negotiations on a $US58 billion combination.
Trump wants to slash the US trade deficit with Japan
The president said he believes that a resolution can be found without the need for punitive action, though he’s keeping tariffs are on the table for now.
Billionaires Altman and Son bet big on each other
Tech entrepreneur Sam Altman and SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son lead talks over a record deal to make the Japanese investor the biggest backer of the ChatGPT-maker.
BP puts its $600m Perth clean fuel refinery plans on ice
The British petroleum giant had expected to decide on the development later this year, but said on Monday that it would delay work on the project.
January
Google Maps to rename Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’
The Trump administration declares that the Gulf of Mexico has been renamed, making good on a campaign promise.
China narrows gap on US in AI arms race as Australia stands idle
Donald Trump’s Stargate announcement promised big bucks for development of artificial intelligence as advancing Chinese capability underlines America’s determination to preserve its leadership.
Australia’s head not in the AI game
The prime minister’s rambling answer to a press club question on Australia’s engagement in the AI arms race shows how complacent political and business leaders are.
Quad could get surveillance role under Trump: Wong
Foreign Minister Penny Wong met other members of the Quad security dialogue in Washington, including US Security of State Marco Rubio.
Meet Japan’s original decluttering guru (no, not that one)
Hideko Yamashita pushes her clients to examine what overabundance and obsession do to their emotional states.
Nintendo’s Switch 2 Is Here. Now it’s all about the games
After all the rumours and years of anticipation, we know what Nintendo’s next console is. It’s the Switch 2.