Trade

• Il presidente Trump e il leader cinese Xi Jinping hanno tenuto colloqui ad alto rischio a Pechino, concentrandosi sulla risoluzione delle crescenti tensioni commerciali, sulla competizione tecnologica e sul coordinamento delle risposte agli sviluppi in Medio Oriente. • I due leader hanno discusso della riduzione dei dazi, delle restrizioni alla catena di approvvigionamento dei semiconduttori e di potenziali iniziative congiunte sulla regolamentazione dell'artificial intelligence, con entrambe le nazioni che cercano di evitare un ulteriore deterioramento economico. • Il summit segna un punto di svolta critico nelle relazioni tra US e China; gli osservatori notano che gli accordi raggiunti potrebbero rimodellare le dinamiche del commercio globale e influenzare la traiettoria della più ampia competizione geopolitica.

• Il presidente degli Stati Uniti afferma che lui e la sua controparte cinese 'si conoscono da molto tempo' e che Xi è un 'grande leader' • Trump a Pechino – ultimi aggiornamenti • Cinque questioni chiave per il summit Xi-Trump

• Il presidente degli Stati Uniti Donald Trump è arrivato a Pechino il 13 maggio 2026 per una visita di Stato e colloqui di alto livello con il presidente cinese Xi Jinping per affrontare le principali questioni bilaterali e globali. • I punti chiave dell'agenda includono le dispute commerciali tra Stati Uniti e Cina, le catene di approvvigionamento di minerali di terre rare, lo status politico di Taiwan, la competizione sull'intelligenza artificiale e l'attuale conflitto con l'Iran. • Il vertice rappresenta un impegno diplomatico critico volto a gestire la competizione strategica tra Stati Uniti e Cina e a ridurre i rischi di escalation militare.

In vista dei colloqui cruciali, la sicurezza è stata intensificata a Pechino, con il presidente degli Stati Uniti che incontrerà Xi nella Grande Sala del Popolo. Il summit Trump-Xi durerà due giorni. Inizialmente era previsto per fine marzo o inizio aprile, ma è stato rimandato a causa della guerra in Iran. Ora che Trump si trova in Cina, ecco alcuni dei rischi che il presidente degli Stati Uniti deve affrontare. Continua a leggere...

• I negoziatori commerciali guidati dal Segretario al Tesoro degli Stati Uniti Scott Bessent e dal Vice Premier cinese He Lifeng hanno tenuto colloqui a Seoul mercoledì per preparare il vertice tra Donald Trump e Xi Jinping. • L'incontro mira a attenuare le tensioni in vista dei colloqui tra i leader del 13-15 maggio, che rappresenteranno la prima visita di un presidente statunitense a Pechino in quasi un decennio. • L'evento è rilevante poiché le due economie stanno cercando di gestire le dispute commerciali e le ripercussioni geopolitiche evitando ulteriori escalation.

• Sarà la prima volta che un presidente degli Stati Uniti visita la Cina da quasi un decennio, dopo l'ultima visita di Trump nel 2017. • Benvenuti alla nostra copertura in diretta della politica statunitense. Donald Trump è previsto in viaggio in Cina questa settimana per incontrare Xi Jinping, il leader cinese. • Tuttavia, considerando tutto ciò che è accaduto finora nel secondo mandato di Trump – una guerra commerciale e poi un'effettiva guerra con l'Iran che ha portato a un'impennata dei prezzi di petrolio e gas in tutto il mondo – l'atmosfera di questa visita sarà probabilmente molto diversa. Continua a leggere...

• Il presidente degli Stati Uniti Donald Trump arriva a Pechino mercoledì per colloqui di due giorni con il leader cinese Xi Jinping, segnando il loro primo incontro di persona in oltre sei mesi in un clima di relazioni tese. • Le discussioni riguarderanno l'Iran, le tensioni di Taiwan, l'intelligenza artificiale, le armi nucleari e il potenziale rinnovo di un accordo sui minerali critici, secondo i funzionari statunitensi. • Il vertice mira a stabilizzare le relazioni tra le due economie più grandi del mondo, messe a dura prova dall'attuale guerra USA-Israele con l'Iran, dalle dispute commerciali e dalle minacce tariffarie del primo mandato di Trump.

• China Daily highlights the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest free trade agreement, as increasingly vital for anchoring growth across Asia amid global uncertainties. • Covering 30% of global GDP and population, RCEP facilitates deeper supply chain integration and tariff reductions among 15 member nations including China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN countries, and Australia. • The pact's expansion of trade rules supports resilience against trade wars and economic slowdowns, boosting intra-Asian commerce by an estimated 10-15% in key sectors.

• The Trade Desk reported Q1 2026 revenue of $688.86 million, up 12% year-over-year and beating consensus estimates of $678 million. • Adjusted EBITDA reached $206 million with a 30% margin, down from 34% in Q1 2025, while adjusted EPS of $0.28 missed the $0.32 forecast. • Shares fell 1.75% to $23.08 on May 7, now down 77.62% from the 52-week high of $91.45, as CEO Jeff Green cited macroeconomic complexities.

• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has pledged to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to the illicit narcotics trade as part of broader efforts to establish a drug-free region across Southeast Asia. • The commitment was announced during the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, reflecting unified regional policy against narcotics trafficking and consumption. • The drug-free initiative represents a significant coordinated effort among ASEAN member states including Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to combat organized crime networks and reduce substance abuse.

• Shares in South Korea and Taiwan have rallied the most globally this month, with South Korea's Kospi index surging 78% year-to-date amid optimism for tech-driven gains. • Traders are positioning for Asia's technology leaders to lead the next phase of the worldwide stocks rally, focusing on semiconductor and electronics firms in these markets. • The outperformance underscores Asia's pivotal role in global equities, potentially sustaining momentum if U.S. and European markets stabilize.

US leader enters talks with superpower rival from vulnerable position, but will be hoping for economic wins amid turbulent backdropIf all goes to plan over the next few days – and that is a big if – Donald Trump will arrive in Beijing on Wednesday for a highly anticipated summit with Xi Jinping, China’s leader.The trip will mark the first time a US president has visited China in nearly a decade. The last visit was also made by Trump, during his first term, in 2017. Continue reading...

• Soybean farmers Scott Gaffner from Illinois and Cordt Holub from Iowa pleaded with President Trump to finalize a soybean deal at his upcoming China summit. • They highlighted impacts of high diesel prices and market uncertainty on US agriculture amid trade tensions. • The appeal comes as Trump prepares to meet Xi Jinping, seeking to stabilize farm exports critical to rural economies.

• Federal officials are investigating at least four suspicious trades potentially tied to insider knowledge of U.S.-Iran developments. • Sources confirm the trades involved large positions in oil futures ahead of recent Strait of Hormuz tensions. • This probe highlights risks of market manipulation during global conflicts, with implications for financial regulations.

• A U.S. trade court declared President Trump's proposed 10% tariffs on global imports unlawful, marking a significant legal setback for his trade agenda. • The ruling, issued within the past 2 hours, stems from challenges by importers arguing the tariffs exceed presidential authority under existing trade laws. • This decision matters as it disrupts Trump's strategy to pressure trading partners like China and the EU amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.

• A federal trade court overturned an administration ruling that had blocked grant restoration, overturning a previous district judge's injunction regarding federal aid programs. • The decision requires the administration to restore the flow of contested grants, marking a judicial victory for grant recipients and advocacy groups challenging the policy. • The ruling impacts federal funding distribution and suggests courts are actively reviewing Trump administration decisions affecting federal spending programs.

• A Pentagon administrative error revealed flaws in implementation of the Trump-Xi trade ceasefire agreement, according to May 7, 2026 analysis on PBS NewsHour. • The blacklist fumble suggests coordination breakdowns between US military and trade policy officials regarding China sanctions enforcement. • Michael Shepard noted that the error undermines confidence in both governments' ability to maintain the fragile truce and raises questions about enforcement mechanisms.

• President Trump announced a July 4, 2026 deadline for the European Union to reach a comprehensive trade deal, according to remarks made during a Tuesday morning interview. • The ultimatum signals Trump's intent to accelerate trade negotiations and establish concrete timelines for resolving transatlantic trade disputes. • The deadline creates urgency for EU officials to engage in substantive negotiations, though some analysts question whether the timeframe is realistic given the complexity of trade agreements.

• The US Trade Court ruled on May 7, 2026, that President Trump's latest 10% tariffs violate constitutional authority, representing a significant legal setback for the administration's trade policy. • The court's decision directly challenges Trump's tariff authority and could force the administration to modify or justify its trade measures through Congress. • The ruling comes as Trump has set a July 4 deadline for the EU to reach a trade deal, creating pressure on both domestic and international trade negotiations.

Trump sets Fourth of July deadline as he vents impatience at speed of EU’s implementationDonald Trump has said the EU must ratify its trade deal with the US by 4 July or face “much higher” tariffs, after European officials fell short of agreement on the pact.Trump said he spoke to the EU chief, Ursula von der Leyen, about the issue and, he posted on his Truth Social platform, “agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels”. Continue reading...

Trump also issues new deadline for EU to implement trade deal terms before raising tariffs to ‘much higher levels’The US trade court on Thursday ruled against Donald Trump’s latest 10% global tariffs, finding across-the-board tariffs were not justified under a 1970s trade law.The US Court of International Trade ruled in favor of small businesses that challenged the tariffs, which took effect on 24 February. The ruling was 2-1, with one judge saying it was premature to grant victory to the small business plaintiffs. Continue reading...

Glyphosate is currently sprayed on cereal and pulse crops to dessicate them and make them easier to harvestA new trade deal with the EU could lead to restrictions on the use of the controversial weedkiller glyphosate on UK food crops.The full-spectrum herbicide, which kills almost every plant it touches, is often sprayed on wheat, oats and other cereal and pulse crops immediately before harvest to desiccate them and make them easier to handle. Continue reading...

Company pushes for lower excise and claims threats warrant secrecy, while critics say it has ‘no interest in public health or safety’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTobacco giant Philip Morris told a secret Senate hearing that soaring trade in illegal cigarettes would wipe out legal products in Australia as soon as 2030, claiming executives’ identities should be kept secret because of threats from organised crime.Labor criticised Coalition MPs for allowing the company to give evidence to an inquiry on illegal tobacco in a closed-door session in Canberra on Monday, ending more than 15 years of precedent under a World Health Organization (WHO) agreement. Continue reading...

• Vietnam and China are strengthening bilateral relations with increased trade flows and Chinese investment in Vietnam's economy, signaling closer geopolitical alignment in Southeast Asia. • The deepening ties reflect Vietnam's strategic repositioning amid regional power dynamics and economic interdependence with its northern neighbor. • The development has implications for ASEAN cohesion and regional balance of power, particularly regarding competing claims in the South China Sea and great power competition in the region.

• Singapore and New Zealand signed the world's first legally binding bilateral agreement to maintain flows of essential supplies including food, fuel, healthcare products, and construction materials during crises, witnessed by both prime ministers at the Singapore-New Zealand Annual Leaders' Meeting. • The Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies commits both governments not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on agreed essential goods and establishes a framework for facilitating goods movement and information sharing during supply chain disruptions. • The agreement will be incorporated into the existing free trade agreement between the two countries after domestic procedures are completed, providing businesses and consumers with greater confidence and supply chain stability in the region.

• Hangeng Trade Company has ceased operations at Pakistan's Gwadar port, citing an 'unfit business environment,' operational hurdles, financial losses, and stuck shipments despite government contact. • The closure reflects escalating security challenges in Balochistan, where the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has launched multiple attacks on Chinese nationals and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects since 2021. • The development raises concerns for China's $62 billion CPEC investment in Pakistan and threatens the viability of Gwadar as a strategic hub for Beijing's Arabian Sea access, potentially impacting regional connectivity and investment flows.

• New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in Singapore to formalize a fuel-for-food arrangement aimed at protecting NZ during crises. • The deal emphasizes trade resilience as security issues overshadow economic interdependence, per Luxon's statements. • It underscores bilateral efforts to navigate global volatility through resource swaps and stronger ties.

• President Trump announced a 25% tariff on European Union automobiles, citing the bloc's failure to comply with existing trade agreements. • The administration claims the EU breached trade terms, prompting the tariff increase as a enforcement mechanism. • The move escalates trade tensions between the US and EU, potentially affecting auto manufacturers and consumers across both regions.