Meeting

Taiwan, i dazi e lo stretto di Hormuz sono all'ordine del giorno dell'incontro per Pechino – ma il presidente degli Stati Uniti sarà costretto a chiedere aiuto per porre fine alla sua guerra con l'Iran?

• Il vicepresidente del Kuomintang (KMT) Chang Rong-kung ha incontrato Wang Huning, l'alto funzionario cinese per gli affari di Taiwan, a Pechino l'11 maggio 2026, riaffermando che le relazioni tra le due sponde non sono rapporti tra Stati. • Chang ha sottolineato le convinzioni condivise secondo cui il territorio non deve essere diviso e la nazione non deve essere dispersa, come citato da Wang durante il summit riportato da United Daily News. • L'incontro sottolinea la posizione di opposizione del KMT verso l'indipendenza di Taiwan pur mantenendo un dialogo con Pechino, in un contesto di tensioni persistenti sullo status di Taiwan.

• The U.S. Federal Reserve maintained its federal funds rate in the 3.50%-3.75% range at its April 2026 policy meeting. • Decision balances heightened inflation uncertainty, a softening labor market, and geopolitical risks from the Middle East. • Markets remain volatile under President Trump due to tariffs, tax policies, oil price swings, and conflicts, yet stocks have held steady overall.

• In Beijing on May 6, 2026, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian official Abbas Araghchi, labeling US-led military actions against Iran as 'illegitimate' and a violation of international law. • China urged an immediate and complete ceasefire, direct US-Iran engagement, and warned the region stands at a critical turning point amid escalating tensions. • Araghchi welcomed China's support, calling it a 'sincere friend,' while signaling openness to diplomacy contingent on a 'fair and comprehensive' agreement.

• India's Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chairman Ravi Agrawal stated on Monday that the country is confident of achieving its direct tax collection target of ₹25.2 trillion ($284.39 billion) for the current financial year. • The ambitious target reflects strong economic growth and improved tax compliance, driven by digital infrastructure expansion and enhanced taxpayer registrations. • Meeting this revenue goal is critical for government fiscal planning and public expenditure allocation across infrastructure, social programs, and defense.

• Finance leaders from China, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN nations convened in Samarkand to address regional economic stability. • They committed to closely monitor and act against excessive volatility in financial markets amid global uncertainties. • The pledge underscores coordinated efforts to mitigate risks from geopolitical tensions and market fluctuations impacting Asia.

Exclusive: Varun Chandra’s talks with Google, Meta, Apple and others raise fears of ‘lobbying behind closed doors’An influential government adviser close to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech executives, the Guardian can reveal.The No 10 business aide Varun Chandra discussed regulatory changes, AI and Donald Trump’s second administration with tech corporations during confidential meetings between October 2024 and October 2025. In one meeting he offered to help a top executive meet the prime minister directly. Continue reading...