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Why the U.S. is investigating the Chinese chip industry

Dec 23, 2024
The Biden administration's probe into trade practices would open the door to tariffs on Chinese chips and the products that use them.
The Chinese government has given out subsidized loans and grants to domestic chipmakers.
Getty Images

Coal demand is up. Thank data centers and industrialization.

Dec 20, 2024
The International Energy Agency now expects coal demand to peak in 2027.
STR/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese importers of American goods brace themselves for further tariffs

Dec 19, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump says he will place an extra 10% tariff on all Chinese exports. China is expected to counter with tariffs on U.S. exports.
Last month, President-elect Donald Trump said he would impose an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese exports.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

This customs broker is prepping for another round of Trump tariffs

Dec 2, 2024
"We don't have any inside information," says customs broker Gretchen Blough. "So we're just kind of holding hands with our customers."
"We've been getting a lot of phone calls and emails asking if we have any kind of information as to what the tariffs will be on on commodities," says Gretchen Blough of Logistics Plus in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images

China’s consumption is ticking up, but can it be sustained?

Nov 29, 2024
Retail sales growth was the highest in eight months in October, but the property slump continues.
Shoppers line up for local food specialties in central China's Changsha city. The food business has been struggling, but cosmetics, sports and recreational products sold well in October.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

A global glut of soybeans has been pushing down prices

Nov 26, 2024
Soybean supplies are up because soybean production is up. And soybean production is up because of China's demand for it.
During the Trump administration, China imposed tariffs on U.S. soybean exports, leading it to buy more soybeans from other countries, like Brazil.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Desire to buy American-made gifts is strong, but so is the allure of cheap stuff from China

Nov 21, 2024
Chinese brands like SHEIN and Temu are expected to play a major role in holiday shopping this year. So will American consumers put their money where their mouth is this holiday season?
Shoppers say they do care about where products are made, but they also care about getting a deal. Especially as they continue to adjust to elevated prices.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

How advanced are China's self-driving taxis?

Nov 19, 2024
China is speeding up permission to test autonomous vehicles. The most advanced pilot projects are in Beijing and Wuhan.
Pony.ai's self-driving taxi makes its way down a Beijing road. Sixteen Chinese cities are piloting autonomous taxis.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

Despite looming tariffs and "the worst harvest I've ever had," Iowa farmer remains optimistic

Nov 8, 2024
Corn and soybean farmer April Hemmes is preparing for new tariffs from a second Trump administration.
April Hemmes says farmers like her are "running scared" because over half of their soybeans are exported to China.
Ben Hethcoat/Marketplace

2024 U.S. election: views from China

Oct 18, 2024
U.S. work visa applicants in Shanghai have mixed feelings on which presidential candidate would be better for China-U.S. relations.
People line up to apply for a visa at the U.S. consulate in Shanghai. The number of Chinese citizens going to America for work, study and travel has been dropping since U.S.-China tensions escalated in 2018.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace