BEIJING, CHINA – DECEMBER 22: A woman walks by the headquarters of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) on December 22, 2025 in Beijing, China. Zhang Xiangyi | China News Service | Getty Images China held its benchmark lending rates unchanged for an 11th straight month, keeping its powder dry as policymakers weigh the economic…
Energy shipments are increasingly being used as a foreign policy tool as the Trump administration attempts to hold down two blockades on opposite sides of the globe. The U.S., under the direction of President Donald Trump, has initiated a naval blockade targeting Iranian vessels in and around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, seeking to…
My top 10 things to watch Friday, April 17 1. The S & P 500 is headed for a higher open this morning after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial traffic during the Israel-Lebanon 10-day ceasefire. Oil prices sank more than 9%. President Donald Trump said the U.S.-Iran war “should be ending…
Wind turbines operated by Gamesa Eloica SA near Zaragoza, Spain, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Renewables are helping cushion the blow of higher oil and gas prices in Europe. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo lauded the country’s energy resilience to the Iran war, saying a pivot to solar and…
People walk outside a shopping mall during a week-long National Day holiday in Beijing on October 7, 2025. Greg Baker | Afp | Getty Images China’s economy gathered steam in the first quarter, as robust exports growth offset tepid domestic demand, though the Iran war-fueled energy shock clouds growth outlook, threatening global demand. Gross domestic…
Uber and WeRide are partnering to offer robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Uber Technologies, Inc. BEIJING — At least three Chinese robotaxi companies are pressing ahead with expansion plans in the Middle East despite the ongoing Iran war. Ride-hailing company Didi plans to begin its first overseas robotaxi test in the United Arab Emirates…
Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Altaf Qadri | AP The U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is not only squeezing Iran but also ratcheting up pressure on two of its most consequential relationships in Asia…
China has called the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz a “dangerous and irresponsible act” that will further enflame tensions in the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that the targeted blockade of the vital shipping channel, which began at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, coupled with an increase…
Hi, this is Evelyn, writing to you from Beijing. Welcome to the latest edition of The China Connection — a succinct snapshot of what I’m seeing and hearing from local businesses. Today, I talk to a smart glasses exec about why price-conscious Chinese consumers are paying $100 more for AI frames. What’s his strategy for…
A cargo ship loaded with foreign trade containers sails towards the open sea in Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, Shandong, China, on April 13, 2026. Costfoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images China’s export growth slowed in March as manufacturers grappled with surging commodity and energy costs due to the Middle East conflict disrupting supplies, while imports logged…
