People's Republic of China

Money Moves

Opposing US-Taiwan agreements

The United States produced 37% of the world's semiconductors in 1990, but by 2024 that share had fallen below 10%, with Taiwan manufacturing over 90% of the most advanced chips. A $500 billion US-Taiwan trade framework, initiated with a January 16, 2026 memorandum and formally signed February 12, commits Taiwanese firms to $250 billion in direct US investments plus $250 billion in credit guarantees for semiconductors, AI, and energy in exchange for 15% tariffs (down from 20%).

Updated Feb 13

Force in Play

Emerging as alternative mediator to ASEAN and US

A Cambodian soldier died in a border firefight on May 28. Within two months, the countries were exchanging artillery fire and airstrikes across a dozen locations. Three ceasefires later—brokered by Malaysia, pressured by Trump, witnessed by ASEAN—over 100 people are dead and a million displaced. The latest truce, signed December 27, holds the same promise as the ones before it.

Updated Dec 28, 2025

Rule Changes

Facing growing EU trade defence actions while wielding export controls and vast manufacturing capacity

French President Emmanuel Macron’s December 2025 warning that Europe could slap U.S.-style tariffs on Chinese goods if Beijing fails to curb its ballooning trade surplus with the EU marks a sharp escalation in Europe’s pushback against China’s export‑heavy model. In an interview after his state visit to China, Macron argued that China’s surplus is “killing” its European customers and framed the issue as a “life or death” struggle for EU industry, especially autos and advanced manufacturing.

Updated Dec 11, 2025