chinese exports

China's exports surged 14.1% in April, significantly exceeding expectations and bolstering the nation's economy despite global uncertainties. This strong performance precedes a crucial meeting between US and Chinese leaders, where trade tensions and other disputes are expected to be discussed. Analysts anticipate continued export-driven growth for China this year.

US approved major Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent to acquire Nvidia's advanced H200 AI chips. However, no sales have materialized as Beijing reportedly discourages domestic firms from buying foreign technology, prioritizing the development of its own chip industry, particularly Huawei's. Nvidia's CEO is now in China, hoping for a breakthrough.

US President Trump revealed Chinese President Xi Jinping desires the Strait of Hormuz reopened to stabilize global energy markets. Both leaders reportedly agreed on the necessity of this crucial shipping route's resumption. Discussions also touched upon potential increased Chinese purchases of American oil and agricultural products, alongside ongoing tensions regarding Taiwan.

As President Trump arrives in Beijing, anticipation runs low for any breakthroughs regarding China's influence over Iran and the vital Strait of Hormuz. His agenda includes discussions on trade and the pressing issue of fentanyl, yet underlying tensions over their differing views on geopolitical conflicts threaten to overshadow these talks.

Xi dealt with Trump as his equal, pitting Beijing’s grand strategic concerns against Washington’s transactionalism. Yes, both sides outwardly agreed on some issues. But Beijing is playing a long game

Presidents Xi and Trump are set for a crucial summit, aiming for stability despite deep-seated issues like tech rivalry and Taiwan. While a trade deal might emerge, it won't end the underlying friction. China's focus on domestic chip production and its stance on Taiwan, deemed the 'biggest risk,' will also be key discussion points. The US may also expect China's mediation in ending the Iranian mess.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang joined Donald Trump's Beijing summit at the last minute, boarding Air Force One in Alaska, but China still won't approve H200 AI chip purchases. Trump said Beijing "chose not to" because it wants homegrown silicon. With DeepSeek now running on Huawei chips and 10 cleared Chinese firms yet to place orders, Nvidia's China stalemate looks set to drag on.

Anthropic's paper outlines two scenarios for US-China AI leadership by 2028. In one, the US maintains its compute advantage through tightened export controls, leading to democratic AI norms. The other sees China overtaking the US if policymakers fail to act, resulting in authoritarian AI dominance.

Chinese developers are bypassing AI restrictions by using underground 'shadow APIs' hosted outside mainland China. These services provide access to leading US AI models like Claude and Gemini for coding and other tasks. Despite tightened controls and identity checks, demand persists as Western AI is perceived as superior for complex engineering, fueling a growing grey market.

China has for the first time publicly acknowledged providing on-ground technical assistance to Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor last year. Chinese engineers from AVIC's Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute were involved in ensuring Pakistani aircraft operated at full combat capability. This marks the first official indication of direct Chinese personnel involvement in supporting Pakistani military operations during the conflict.

Pakistan's Fatah-3 missile test sparks debate, potentially challenging India's BrahMos dominance in precision strikes. Analysts question if it's a Pakistani leap or Chinese hardware, highlighting China's growing military influence. Operation Sindoor showcased India's advanced capabilities, underscoring the importance of integrated systems beyond just missile technology.

In a last-minute development, President Trump reportedly invited Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to join his China delegation, with Huang now on Air Force One. This comes amid earlier concerns about Nvidia's political implications. Trump confirmed Huang's presence alongside other prominent CEOs, stating his intention to urge President Xi to open China for business and collaboration.

The PM wants us to use public transport, shift to electric vehicles, work from home, take fewer vacations abroad, and reduce gold purchases. The reason isn't as sudden as you might think

President Donald Trump is set to visit China from May 13-15 for talks with President Xi Jinping, focusing on easing trade tensions and discussing Iran. Broader issues like tariffs and Taiwan are also on the agenda. The visit aims to rebalance the relationship, prioritizing reciprocity and fairness for American economic independence.

President Trump's visit to China is overshadowed by the Iran War, which has disrupted global energy supplies and impacted his approval ratings. While trade and Taiwan remain on the agenda, the protracted conflict in Iran presents a significant challenge, with the US struggling to achieve its war aims and facing a decline in superpower status.

As the geopolitical landscape evolves, France's efforts to maintain influence in Africa are confronted with a shifting reality. The Sahel nations, now under military governance, are moving toward new alliances, with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger seeking support from Russia for defense needs and China for economic growth.

While the US and Israel engaged in conflict with Iran, China quietly leveraged the situation to expand its influence. By positioning itself as a diplomatic alternative and stabilizing energy supplies, Beijing benefited from a weakened American strategic position and growing uncertainty about US reliability among allies.