SINGAPORE: As world difficulties persist, concerns about the economy and job security have come up as significant issues for the upcoming General Election. In response to rising trade tensions, The International Monetary Fund this week decreased its forecast for global growth for this year to 3.4 % from 2.8 %.Continue Reading
Muhammad Ali Tabba, CEO of Lucky Cement and chairman of National Resources Limited ( NRL), revealed what he claimed are the Chagai district of Balochistan’s substantial gold and copper reserves at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025.
The discovery, which was made in the presence of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Muhammad Asim Munir, could pave the way for Pakistan’s lagging mining sector, at a time when global gold prices are at record peaks of over US$ 3,400 per gram.
NRL, a utterly Pakistani-owned company that operates under the banners of Fatima Fertilizer, Liberty Mills, and Happy Cement, obtained an inquiry force in Chagai in October 2023. Within the span of 18 months, it claims to have found 16 mineral-rich locations spread out over a 500-square-kilometer area, with cutting at the Tang Kor, Chagai site apparently proving the presence of significant deposits.
The largest state in Pakistan by area, Balochistan, is a geographical treasure. The Tethyan Magmatic Arc, a mineral-rich region that stretches from Europe to Southeast Asia and is renowned for its abundance of copper and gold, surrounds the Chagai place.
The nearby Reko Diq mine, which is estimated to have 5.9 billion tonnes of ore, grades 0.42 grams per kilogram of gold and 0.41 % brass, making it one of the largest untapped resources in the world.
First cutting on the NRL Tang Kor website revealed copper concentrations ranging from 0.23 to 0.44 percent, along with traces of gold and silver, to round out this. Three and a half of the three million diamonds drill holes apparently struck mineralized zones, underscoring the deposit’s enormous potential.
Making this finding a prospective lifeline, Pakistan is in a dire financial position with shrinking international currency reserves, mounting debt, and import dependence. The country’s$ 6 trillion in mineral wealth has been largely untapped.
Along with innovations like Reko Diq, where Barrick Gold plans to mine 200, 000 kilograms of brass and 250, 000 ounces of gold annually by 2028, NRL’s discovery had contribute billions to Pakistan’s business and Balochistan’s growth.
The discovery raises age-old questions about good revenue distribution and environmental impact in Balochistan, one of Pakistan’s least developed and generally restive regions.
Cultural Baloch insurgent groups generally target provincial resource and infrastructure investments, in part because they disproportionately favor local communities over Islamabad and its allies ‘ international interests, including Chinese companies.
The partnership between NRL and the Balochistan government and the Special Investment Facilitation Council ( SIFC), as well as a$ 100 million exploration budget for two new licenses, demonstrates a determined effort to make the most of this opportunity.
Balochistan’s abundance of resources contrasts striking with its poverty. The state still has the lowest fundamental human development indicators, accounting for 35 to 45 percent of Pakistan’s natural fuel and brimming with minerals. Around 85 % of the province’s residents lack access to clean water, 75 % have no electricity, and 63 % are impoverished.
However, if handled wisely and fairly, these newly discovered treasures could change Balochistan’s grave tale. The company’s stated goal is to fill these gaps, at least artistically, by promoting community engagement and local employment.
There is law to doubt business promises of trickle-down. For example, the Saindak plant, which has been operating since the 1970s, produces 15, 800 tonnes of brass, 1.5 tonnes of gold, and 2.8 tons of silver yearly, but the benefits are hardly ever felt by locals.
The upside is enormous. According to company estimates, Reko Diq could generate$ 70 billion in free cash flow and$ 90 billion in operating cash flow over the course of a decade. If NRL’s deposits be of this size, their extraction could boost GDP, lead to considerable well-paying jobs, and provide desperately needed infrastructure in Balochistan.
A local person like NRL may keep more money in-country, in contrast to earlier foreign-led initiatives. Its efforts to attract investors and its agreements with the Oil and Gas Development Company ( OGDC ) all point to a scalable strategy.
However, enthusiasm must be at a slack. Balochistan received only 2 % of Saindak’s earnings, despite controversy over revenue cuts and local carelessness in previous projects like Saindak and Reko Diq.
Fair policies, such as guaranteeing royalties, native work, and investments in health, education, and water, are essential for NRL’s victory. Although the Balochistan Development Plan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ( CPEC ) Gwadar Port provide a blueprint, fair implementation will be important.
Of course, the financial gain comes with economic considerations. The climate in Baluchistan is as tough as it is delicate, with summers reaching 53°C and seasons reaching -20°C in higher elevations. In Balochistan, mine requires a lot of water and energy, both of which are limited resources.
Saindak has faced criticism for using effluent and residues to pollute water and deplete liquid. The possible processing and drilling by Tang Kor could make these issues worse, especially if NRL chooses to conduct downstream operations that may poison rivers, harm crops, and worsen health crises.
Mining produces 4 to 7 % of the world’s greenhouse gases, with metal production producing about 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per kilogram.
NRL’s production, on par with Reko Diq’s level, could add hundreds of thousands of kilos of emissions annually, straining a region already affected by climate change, such as desert and erratic rains. Mining-related debris could also be harmful to the environment and the general public.
Mine may contribute to Balochistan’s already shaky culture, which could worsen the situation. Severe weather has increased in the province; in 2022, floods destroyed crops and caused thousands of people to flee, and persistent droughts caused arable land to shrink. The drier ecosystem of Chaagai, which is home to sparse vegetation and endangered species like the Balochistan bear, is threatened by mining sprawl.
Water-intensive businesses run the risk of drying up springs and reservoirs, which are essential for nomadic landowners and small farmers. In a state with high tectonic activity, heavy machinery and blasting was destabilize the region’s rugged terrain, raising the risk of landslides.
NRL projects may crumble Balochistan’s delicate environmental balance without careful and thorough planning.
On the other hand, copper could potentially help the world decarbonization because it is so important for alternative technologies like wind farms and electric vehicles. Nearby command at NRL may impose stricter environmental laws than have been applied by foreign companies in the past.
Some advanced mine ‘ use of solar power or water reuse could reduce the damage. To achieve a balance between earnings and survival, the$ 100 million exploration fund could be used to fund conservation research. If NRL contributes perhaps a small amount to Balochistan’s Climate Resilience Fund, it was foster confidence and social cohesion among Chaghi’s indigenous populations.
A good and equitable outcome depends on learning from the past, but NRL’s Chagai consider has the potential to be a turning point for Pakistan and Balochistan. If significant profits remain nearby, the breakthrough may reduce trade dependence, boost foreign dollar reserves, and end Balochistan’s poverty.
The margins are highlighted by the 2025 Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, which immediately had the attention of Chagai. The potential 15 % interest in Saudi Arabia in Reko Diq and Barrick’s$ 2 billion funding imply that Pakistan’s mineral wealth is ideal for successful removal.
In the end, NRL’s gold and copper reserves are more than just a geographical windfall; they are essential to Pakistan’s effort to achieve equitable and sustained economic progress.
The finding could signal a future where wealth and the environment, not just local leaders or outsiders, are at play in Balochistan. Pakistan and Balochistan must make sure that this promise doesn’t turn into yet another tale of wasted claim.
Even among some of the world’s leading economic thinkers, confident predictions are currently hard to come by, according to the International Monetary Fund ( IMF)’s ( IMF) just released its World Economic Outlook.
A fortnight of seminars, presentations, and press events focusing on the worldwide economy, foreign growth, and world financial markets are held each flower in Washington, DC. The IMF releases its global economic growth prediction at both the flower discussions and the annual meetings, which are held each fall.
The IMF has released a foundation estimates and an clause analyzing the tax events that occurred between April 9 and April 14 for its spring meeting in 2025. According to the fund’s report, world GDP will grow by 2.8 % in 2025 and 3.0 % in 2026. For the euro area, growth will be 0.8 % and 1.2 % for 2025 and 2026 respectively.
These projections are significantly revised from IMF data that was released just three months ago. Growth in the euro area is down 0.2 % compared to the fund’s January update, and growth globally is down by 0.5 %.
We live in a much more ambiguous world than we did three months ago, so understanding the most recent IMF document and its negative estimates is essential.
The term “unpredictable” may be sufficient if one had to total up the new US tax scheme in one word. The largest price increase in modern history occurred on April 2, 2025, referred to as” Liberation Day.”
The US leader next made two more presentations only one year later. Second, a 90-day ban on tax increases, which he allegedly did in search of bilateral treaties with the nations to which he had applied levies above 10 %. Next, that China would not be subject to this restriction, with the price increases on its goods increasing to 145 %.
This freeze means that until July, EU products that are sold to the US will be subject to a 10 % tariff rather than the 20 % that was announced on April 2. The new US administration’s 10 % application is still significantly higher than the standard tariff of 1.34 % that was in effect before April 5th, though.
But what will the price get after these 90 time? What will happen in December? What will happen in two centuries? What products will not be subject to the exemption? How far will China’s trade war with the US come? Nobody knows the answer to all of these issues. The IMF’s flower forecast for this uncertainty is clear.
The world industry doubt index from the IMF is now seven times higher than it was in October 2024, which is significantly higher than the pandemic.
This uncertainty affects the economy more severely than a large but clear tariff. Companies can at least restructure their manufacturing processes with a price, and customers can look for alternative goods. There is a charge, but at least businesses and consumers can make plans.
No one can determine these expenses now, though, because no one is aware of the impact of tariff changes. A US company might choose to purchase a particular product from the EU immediately assuming the price will be 10 %, but it turns out that the price has increased to 100 % once the product has arrived in the US because a political advisor predicted raising tariffs on that product would benefit the US economy.
Although it may seem incredible, the levies are being decided and put into effect in reality. According to one theory, Peter Navarro, the government’s financial advisor and tax idealist, was in another room at the time, so they were only able to persuade Trump to stop new tax increases.
Silence is ultimately the best course of action for both consumers and businesses because of this volatility.
It should come as no surprise that financial markets are so unstable because of these regular plan changes. Financial areas are now experiencing levels of uncertainty and anxiety comparable to those seen during Covid-19, despite Trump’s proudly humblingly praising rising share prices soon after the price freeze was announced.
Five years ago, uncertainty was linked to a rise in the demand for US government bonds as a result of the “flight to health” effect, which forces investors to sell higher-risk investments and purchase safer assets like gold and government bonds in times of doubt.
We are now seeing the exact same. Since” Liberation Day,” the price of US bonds has decreased, which indicates that investors are selling them. In other words, the US government’s bill is no longer viewed as a protected asset. This paradigm shift may lead to even more financial volatility in the future given the impact of the money and US bill on global industry.
One thing shares the recent situation with Covid-19, the next big global economic crisis, with the upheaval of global supply chains. Production was compelled to cease during the pandemic due to confinement. It is the imposition of tariffs as of right now.
There is, nevertheless, a second significant change. People were aware that there would only be so long before vaccines would be accessible and normal would return during Covid. Today, President Trump’s own advisors sell him all kinds of plans to protect US economical interests, hardly any disease, but rather instability in financial markets.
At the Universitat de Barcelona, Sergi Basco is the head of economics.
This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original content.
BBC News
Getty ImagesThe two biggest markets of the world are currently engaged in a business war that is in full swing.
Beijing has responded with a 125 % tax on American goods, and Chinese exports to the US are subject to up to 245 % tariffs. As consumers, businesses, and industry are preparing for more doubt as the likelihood of a global slowdown has increased.
The government of Chinese President Xi Jinping has consistently vowed to engage in dialogue but warned that if necessary, it may “fight to the close.”
What tools does Beijing have to fight US President Donald Trump’s taxes, let’s take a look.
Getty ImagesBecause China is the second-largest economy in the world, it is better deal with the effects of the taxes than other smaller nations.
With more than a billion individuals, it also has a sizable local industry, which might relieve producers who are struggling with taxes.
Because Chinese citizens aren’t spending enough, Beijing is also fumbling with the codes. However, with a variety of opportunities, such as subsidies for home appliances and” silver trains” for traveling taxpayers, that may change.
And Trump’s tariffs have given the Chinese Communist Party an yet stronger push to access the nation’s consumer possible.
The command does “very also be prepared to bear the pain to prevent capitulating to what they perceive to be US aggression,” Mary Lovely, a Peterson Institute in Washington DC, told BBC Newshour earlier this month.
China has a higher level for suffering as an authoritarian government because it is less concerned with short-term public opinion. There is no vote scheduled to decide its rulers right now.
Turmoil is still a priority, especially given that there is now unease over an ongoing housing problems and job losses.
For younger people who have only ever witnessed a rising China, the taxes ‘ economic uncertainty is yet another blow.
State media has urged people to “weather storms up,” while the Party has been making appeal to patriotic sentiments to support its retaliatory tariffs.
Although Xi Jinping may be concerned, Beijing has maintained a confident and resolute tone thus far. The clouds won’t fall, according to a government official.
Getty ImagesChina has always been regarded as the country’s stock, but it has invested billions to advance.
It has been in a competition for it dominance with the US under Xi.
It has heavily invested in local technology, from bits to AI to renewable energy.
Examples include the chatbot DeepSeek, which was praised as a formidable rival to ChatGPT, and BYD, which defeated Tesla last year to become the world’s largest electric vehicle ( EV ) maker. Apple has been losing market share to regional rivals like Huawei and Vivo, who have traditionally been its customers.
Beijing recently announced plans to invest more than$ 1 billion over the next ten years to promote AI innovation.
US businesses have tried to relocate their supply chains away from China, but they have found it difficult to find the same level of skilled labor and equipment abroad.
Chinese manufacturers have given the nation a decades-long benefits that may take time to simulate at every level of the supply chain.
Beijing has been preparing for this trade conflict in some ways since Trump’s past word, thanks to its unmatched supply chain skills and state aid.
Getty ImagesBeijing has stepped up its plans for a potential beyond a US-led world attempt since Trump levies hit Chinese solar panel again in 2018.
To strengthen ties with the so-called International South, it has invested billions in a controversial business and network program known as the Belt and Road initiative.
China is trying to extricate itself from the US as a result of the expansion of trade with South East Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
American farmers used to import 40 % of China’s soybeans, but that percentage now hovers at 20 %. Beijing stepped up soybean production at home after the last trade war and purchased record amounts of the crop from Brazil, the country’s top soybean supplier.
The technique kills two birds with one stone. According to Marina Yue Zhang, associate professor at the University of Technology Sydney’s Australia-China Relations Institute, it deprives America’s land belt of a once-captive industry and burnishes China’s reputation for food safety.
The US no longer holds the top position for exports in China; it now belongs in South East Asia. In reality, China was the world’s largest trading partner in 2023, almost twice as many as the US. It was the biggest exporter in the world at the end of 2024, recording a document surplus of$ 1tn.
That doesn’t imply that China needs to trade with the US, the largest economy in the world, in a meaningful way. However, it does indicate that Washington’s decision to support China into a part won’t remain simple.
Beijing has warned nations against reaching a deal at the cost of China’s interests following reports that the White House may use bilateral trade negotiations to remove China.
For the majority of the planet, that would be a difficult decision.
Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia’s commerce secretary, told the BBC last month,” We can’t decide, and we will never choose between China and the US.”
Getty ImagesTrump remained steady as stocks fell precipitously in the wake of his abrupt tariff statement in early April, referring to his remarkable levies as “medicine.”
He made a U-turn, though, by suspending the majority of those taxes for 90 days following a sharp decline in US state bonds. Treasuries, also known as Treasuries, have long been regarded as a secure funding. However, trust in the property has been shattered by the business war.
Trump has since suggested that trade hostilities with China may be easing, claiming that there will be significant reductions in tariffs on Chinese products.
Therefore, as authorities claim, Beijing now realizes that Trump may be spooked by the bond market.
US federal bonds totaling$ 700 billion are even held by China. The sole non-US alliance to possess more than that is Japan, a steadfast supporter of the United States.
Some claim that this gives Beijing more influence: Chinese media has frequently criticized the practice of selling or withholding payments of US bonds as a “weapon.”
However, researchers caution against assuming that China will not be completely destroyed by this circumstance.
Instead, it may cause significant losses for Beijing’s assets in the bond market and destabilize the Taiwanese yuan.
China will only be allowed to “only exercise stress” on US government bonds, according to Dr. Zhang. ” China has a bargaining chip, hardly a fiscal tool,” he said.
Getty ImagesNevertheless, China has a nearly monopoly over what it can weaponize: the extraction and refinement of rare earths, a range of components crucial to innovative tech manufacturing.
China has a lot of these in its tidal deposits, including Yttrium, which provides heat-resistant surface for jet engines, and dysprosium, which is used in magnet in electric cars and wind turbines.
Beijing has previously reacted to Trump’s most recent taxes by limiting exports of some of the rare earths needed for the production of AI cards.
According to estimates from the International Energy Agency ( IEA ), China accounts for about 61 % of rare earths ‘ production and 92 % of their refining.
While Australia, Japan, and Vietnam have begun to mine unique planets, it will take decades before China may leave the supply chain.
China prohibited the trade of another important material, antimony, in 2024, which is essential to various manufacturing processes. In response to a wave of panic buying and a search for alternative suppliers, its value more than doubled.
The rare earths market, which is feared, could experience the same kind of disruption, seriously affecting everything from defense to electric cars.
According to Thomas Kruemmer, chairman of Ginger International Trade and Investment, “everything you can move on or off good works on unusual rocks.”
” The effect will be significant for the US defense business.”
Great power competition has spread beyond the realm of microchips, artificial intelligence ( AI), and quantum computing. It is no longer only conducted on battlefields.
The US and China are engaged in a fierce conflict to determine the structural framework of the 21st century in this emerging “technopolar” order, where command over advanced systems may determine the trajectory of global power.
The rules of the upcoming world order will be dictated by those who control the data, computing power, and associated supply stores. And in this rapidly changing new world order, smaller countries will increasingly be subject to pressure to choose their technological stances.  ,
AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing are not just resources for financial advancement; instead, they are power bonuses that are shaping everything from global governance frameworks to military supremacy.
One of the most important areas in which international techno-politics is being played out is AI. There are American, Chinese, British, and European models, each with their own unique interpretations of the strategic principles surrounding AI.
Crucially, a country with AI supremacy will outshine rivals in intelligent defense systems, security, and decision-making.
The modern electronic economy’s essence is also made up of electronics. It would be inappropriate to refer to it as the “new crude” of the world economy, where cards are used to power everything from smartphones to fighter jet.
The major inquiry is: If the world is in the process of a new techno-global order, where industrial “haves” and “have-nots” may be categorized according to which bloc a state is aligned, where does this leave developing states that lack the home business base and know-how to protect against modern dependencies?
The US-China tech war is more than just a fight for economic dominance; it is also history’s most defining moment. The winner of this contest will influence the international system’s ideological trajectory, the structure of global security, and the rules of the digital era.
This is no longer a time when relying solely on market forces is sufficient. Due to concern about China’s rapidly developing and leapfrogging industries, technology alliances are already being discussed in Western capitals.
Today’s semiconductor supply chains are highly fragmented across multiple countries, in contrast to the Cold War, where US technological dominance was clear and largely self-sufficient.
The main suppliers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, for instance, are Japan and the Netherlands. Advanced chip production is dominated by Taiwan and South Korea ( TSMC). India is emerging as a major player in the manufacturing of crucial technologies and AI development.
Washington is attempting to forge a web of strategic partnerships, creating a new tech alliance to stop Beijing’s rise, for its strategic imperatives.
This “alliance” is characterized by, but not limited to, the Dutch-Japanese agreement to halt exports of high-end semiconductor equipment to China, the Quad’s focus on cutting-edge and emerging technologies, and US-Taiwan and US-South Korea agreements to protect semiconductor supply chains.
However, it’s not that simple to contain China. The US attempted the same with Japan in the 1990s, but there are still differences today. Through trade diplomacy, market competition, and selective interventions, the US managed to halt Japan‘s technological development.
China does not adhere to the same rules as Japan, and it does not. China’s industrial policy is profoundly intertwined with the state-security apparatus, in contrast to Japan’s operation within the framework of the global Bretton Woods system.
In this way, China actively stocks AI hardware and semiconductor tools, strengthening its self-sufficiency strategy. Tech companies like SMIC and Huawei can compete for global markets and create cutting-edge technologies thanks to China’s state-driven business model, which has fueled rapid industrial growth.
China has a dominant position in key industries like solar energy and lithium-ion batteries because the US and its allies have failed to coordinate industrial policies. China is also well on its way to rule the world’s EV markets.
Without tech blocs, it’s simply impossible to vitiate China’s advancing technology. There will soon be the conundrum of a binary choice for small nations like Pakistan. Technology will no longer be the “global common” it was after the globalization boom in the 1990s.
Countries will increasingly be forced to align themselves with a particular technological order as a result of the intersection of technology and global politics. For this, they will have to put their own technology behind it in their respective economies and societies.
Many countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, which are all treading a tightrope between the US and China, are already in a Catch-22 situation due to a zero-sum approach.
Other players, like the EU, France, and Britain, are present, but it’s likely that they will follow the US-led tech order rather than the Chinese one.
Pakistan’s technological outlook includes everything from defense equipment, space satellites, EVs, 4G and 5G networks, to daily-use electronics, which is increasingly reliant on advanced Chinese technology.
However, too firmly rooted in the Chinese tech camp could stifle or restrict access to new, emerging Western technology. Pakistan will need to contribute in terms of manpower, knowledge-innovation, or open markets, even if it chooses a side.  ,
One thing is done to balance security ties between powerful countries, but another is done to balance technological reliance. It’s a brand-new geopolitical reality that will make fateful geopolitical decisions for Pakistan and others like it.
The Strategic Vision Institute in Islamabad employs research associate Hammad Waleed. He received a distinguished degree from Islamabad’s National Defense University, and he writes about international relations, conflict, emerging technologies, and public policy. He can be reached at [email protected].
Xiaomi Corp.’s entry into the automotive sector has gained a lot of media attention. Its SU7 design is a reach, and it is projected to promote 350, 000 models this year. Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley has also praised the design.
Less well-known is how Huawei Technologies Co, a foe cellphone manufacturer, has also established a strong position in China’s fiercely competitive electric car market by developing the brilliant driving software that has been integrated into the cockpits of brands like BYD Co to BMW AG.
Its intelligent moving solutions business turned a quarter of its revenue into profit last year. Huawei’s technology collects a lot of data that could eventually help the company break the holy grail of intelligent driving, not just selling cars to Chinese drivers who are highly tuned to smart driving features.
Tu Le, the leader of Detroit-based mechanical consulting firm Sino Auto Insights, said Huawei’s “background in hardware and software surely shows.” Folks I trust say it’s one of China’s best techniques. Their aggressive behavior demonstrates how crucial it is for them to be a person in this field.
Companies are reorganizing how trucks are designed and operated in the EV time. The “brains” of a car have power that goes beyond boat power, emergency driving, or park sensors. The Shanghai car show, which kicks off on Wednesday in China’s economic capital, will undoubtedly be a topic that will be on everyone’s radar this year.
However, after a fatal accident involving a Xiaomi EV late last month, Huawei and another smart generating software companies are under stress. That has sparked a resurgence of interest in the claims made about assisted driving systems and how such features are made available to consumers.
According to people with knowledge of the situation, authorities have established guidelines to discourage using advanced driver assistance systems that are” self-driving” and to motivate individuals to keep their hands on the steering wheel when using them. The new regulations could cause months-long delays in the release of future wise cockpit and driver assistance systems.
Huawei’s emphasis on maintaining control over its brilliant driving ecosystem also makes it unlikely to be able to attract customers from abroad.
National security and data protection are two issues that interfer with brilliant driving technology. According to Huawei’s reported ties to the Chinese authorities, European governments, especially the US, are now afraid of it.  ,
Fears that access or misuse of autonomous driving software could cause countries to stop or limit Huawei’s systems in imported vehicles, putting strain on the business ‘ growth ambitions as it gets started.
Huawei can continue to become a leader as long as its option improves, Tu said. Can they persuade a foreign company to use their program outside of China as the wild cards?
The Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance ( HIMA ) forms the foundation of Huawei’s strategy. End-user customers can order vehicles with Huawei’s technology through its online stores or permitted distributors using a stock floor to dealership approach. Huawei only provides the components needed to make intelligent cars available to automakers at their most basic level.
A number of the companies on display at the car show will be a part of Huawei’s alliance.
There are Aito ( along with Seres Group Co), Luxeed ( with Chery Automobile Co), Stelato ( with BAIC Motor Corp. ), and Maextro ( with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp. ). In 2024, 445, 000 products were delivered under the HIMA platform, and Huawei has set an ambitious goal of 1 million units distributed across more than a few models by 2025.
Even though BYD has its own set of advanced driver-assist systems that it calls God’s Eye, Huawei Inside has also been used in the pilots of Audi’s Q6 e-tron and A8 L designs, Chongqing Changan Automobile Co’s Deepal and Avatr runs, and even BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao 8 and 5 types.  ,
According to the German automaker, BMW and Huawei are working together to create smart applications based on the Harmony operating system in 2026, while Huawei’s HiCar system, the company’s mobile application for connecting devices with vehicles, should be available on made-in-China BMW models. According to the report, roughly a quarter of BMW’s app users in China use Huawei smartphones.
Some in the industry have lamented Huawei’s dominance. Former SAIC Motor Corp. chairman Chen Hong famously declared in 2021 that he would not give the” soul” of the car to firms like Huawei. During the shareholder’s meeting that year, Chen said,” It’s unacceptable.” We must” clear the soul in our own hands,” he said.
However, resistance seems to be diminishing as a result of the winner-takes-all nature of artificial intelligence and the high entry requirements for developing a system that can compete with Huawei’s.
SAIC and the Shenzhen-based tech giant Huawei signed a strategic partnership in February, completing Huawei’s client list and bringing it into the exclusive jurisdiction of all of China’s state-owned automakers.
Huawei’s representatives declined to provide more information about the company’s philosophy and smart driving solutions.
However, Huawei deputy chairman Eric Xu stated in a statement to Chinese media in September that “we’ll make the systems and make them well, and carmakers can use them directly” given that not all automakers can afford the investment in smart car technology.
” We want to create a platform where everyone who makes cars can participate,” Xu said. Carmakers and component suppliers are more than just in a simple buy-and-sell relationship under these new cooperation models. Instead, it’s a comprehensive partnership where all parties are responsible for coordinating tasks and coordinating risks and benefits.
After Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Phnom Penh next month, which was disappointing for Washington, it returned the trip by renouncing its importance for international relations.
Prime Minister Hun Manet  stated that” Cambodia’s international scheme is never biased against or detached from any land.” The Royal Government of Cambodia’s official status is that” we maintain good relations with all places based on mutual respect for democracy, independence, and shared interests.” We don’t share any distinct country’s values.
Obviously, the majority of the discussion surrounding Xi’s visit was centered on Trump’s threatened tariffs, which are now halted until July. Sun Chanthol and Cham Nimul, the US Trade Representative’s member, have been holding a video seminar with Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative, as of April 16.
The group hasn’t been invited to Washington for more discussions, according to the news. Making matters worse, Beijing’s business ministry announced on April 21 that it” strategically opposes any party to reaching a deal at the price of China’s interests.” Peace won’t be brought about by peace, and settlement won’t be accepted. Importantly, it stated that” China may resolutely taking mutual measures and will never accept it.”
Who knows what the Trump administration will do next in this saga, but I believe we can safely say that the White House’s full tariff strategy has been at best poorly thought out and will continue to be so. One of the few guiding principles he has maintained for years is Trump’s personal peccadillo with trade deficits.
I forgot who made the joke about the “right woke,” but Trump does seem to think of levies as compensation for America’s white working class. Some in his tent appear to be really convinced that tariffs will re-introduce manufacturing to the US in large numbers, as though all socioeconomic background rules can get rewritten by claiming they don’t exist. As likely as Brits creating an empire are, America’s prospects of reindustrialization are.
However, here is a more convincing explanation: the initial Trump administration’s trade war largely consisted of a test run. Place tariffs on China just and watch what happens in a trade war.
China then reversed its trade routes through third countries, including Cambodia, either directly through illegal” shipping,” where Chinese-made products are labeled” Made In Cambodia” and re-exported from Sihanoukville’s port, or by moving production to places like Cambodia.
Trump’s trade war, in the opinion of this writer, has expanded that test by imposing tariffs on nearly every nation in an effort to stop” transshipment” and stop Chinese goods from entering the US market through the proverbial back door. Think of tariffs as third-party restrictions against the Chinese market.
The Trump administration intends to engage in negotiations with more than 70 countries to stop China from moving goods through their borders, stop Chinese companies from locating in their territories, and stop China from importing cheap commercial goods into their economies, according to the Wall Street Journal  last month.
Take, for example, this week’s announcement that the US Commerce Department will impose taxes as high as 3, 403 % on solar cells and panels imported from Southeast Asia but primarily produced in Chinese-owned factories following a long-running situation that saw Washington establish anti-dumping and countering duties on solar items from four South Asian states next year. Some Chinese firms in Cambodia did charge the highest tariff on renewable imports.
According to Reuters , Vietnam’s business department issued a mandate on April 15 to impose a ban on the shipping of items to the US as part of its tariff-avoidance approach, despite it being announced just hours after Trump’s tax announcements on April 2.
Transshipment rates are likely to rise as China dumps more goods into Southeast Asia because America has increased tariffs to as high as 145 % and Beijing has retaliated by imposing duties of 125 % on US goods.
Thus, it appears as though we’re waging a proxy trade war, in which Beijing and Washington might punish other nations for their economic ties to one another. In Southeast Asia, Cambodia is at the center of this conflict, but it has no room to retreat.
Phnom Penh might curtail direct transshipment. As previously mentioned, Vietnam has already indicated that it will strengthen the oversight and inspection of imported goods to determine their origin.
Phnom Penh could also offer a similar commitment,  , publicly stating that it will, too, increase inspections of goods coming from China. After years of lofty promises that never materialize, whether Washington would trust the government’s promises is another question.
The most troubling aspect of Cambodia’s garment manufacturing supply chain is that it is entirely transshipment-adjacent, which is what makes the country’s economy’s foundation. Essentially, almost all cotton or cloth is imported from China, combined with other products made in Cambodian factories, and then sold to Western ( mostly American ) consumers. Additionally, a sizable portion of garment factories are Chinese-owned.
Of course, this is what many contemporary supply chains look like. However, those who want them to will perceive these things as transshipment. Washington may declare it to be transshipment if it appears to be.
Give Peter Navarro, Trump’s architect of trade wars, ear and ears. Let’s conquer Vietnam. They sell us$ 15 for every$ 1 we sell them when they promise to “we’ll go to zero tariffs,” but that doesn’t mean anything to us because it’s nontariff fraud. He claimed earlier this month that China is transshipping to Vietnam for$ 5 in order to avoid their tariffs. For this, Navarro referred to Vietnam as” a colony of communist China.”
In a conversation with Bloomberg News last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent seemed to be addressing Southeast Asia more directly.” On our side, we want to avoid transshipment, which has been a big issue. And then, I believe they want to avoid dumping. Because of where these Chinese goods will go. If their biggest export market is shutting down, I don’t believe it will take much prodding.
The issue with Phnom Penh is that it is unable to do anything about this. It’s impossible to separate ourselves from China. Its entire export sector is built entirely on Chinese imports and investments. If you have nothing to export, why would you want zero tariffs on exports? So, if this is a proxy trade war, what is the answer to the two main antagonists ‘ ability to endure?
Trump’s entire tariff policy, as previously stated, is incredibly flawed: It simply won’t accomplish what he believes it will. Inflation and higher prices for American consumers will be what it will achieve, one of the two issues that gave Trump a close victory in November, the other being immigration.
The White House now perceives itself as being in a chickenfight with Beijing. China’s court is where the ball is. China needs to strike a deal with us. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said last week,” We don’t need to make a deal with them.” Was it on that occasion that she was wearing a” Made in China” dress?
Washington should take note of the pandemic lessons: The Chinese Communist Party can put its citizens under far more stress and economic hardship than any American president can.
Frankly, Xi isn’t taking a flight to Washington anytime soon. That was evident when he refused to attend Trump’s inauguration. Beijing spent the majority of last year getting ready for this circumstance.
It is accurate to say that Trump is quickly destroying the American Empire ( more on that in a later article ) and that his administration is bringing former US stalwarts closer to Beijing.
Meanwhile, Trump’s approval ratings are already declining. They will drop lower as a result of a recession and rising consumer prices. The Republican Party will be considering a successor and how to return to economic normalcy as the midterm elections in late 2026 come closer to being held.
One can see why, if a nation like Cambodia is currently essentially being told by Washington and Beijing that it will face retaliatory measures if its economic policy swivels “pro-US” to avoid sanctions or “pro-China” as Beijing dumps cheaper goods, it would have a good reason to believe that China has much more staying power to inflict harm.
Xi Jinping will be in office for life, replacing Trump, who could abandon his entire tariff plan in a month.
This article was originally published on David Hutt’s Cambodia Unfiltered Substack, and it is now republished with kind permission. Subscribe to Cambodia Unfiltered right here.
![Gibu Mathew, VP and GM of Zoho APAC joins the stage with other strategic partners of Cradle Fund's MYStartup NXT – micro conference in Cyberjaya with Chang Lih Kang, minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)]](https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/sites/default/files/images/Zoho.jpg)
A global technology company, Zoho Corporation, has announced a strategic partnership with Malaysia’s leading center for early-stage startups, Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd ( Cradle ).
The companies stated in a combined statement that Zoho may expand its Zoho for Startups program through Cradle’s MYStartup Single Window platform, an integrated hub that supports business owners at different stages of their journey, as part of this cooperation.
Malaysia is the next Asean nation to participate in this program, according to them. The program is in line with Zoho’s global goal of providing startups with the tools they need to build and grow their businesses.
Chang Lih Kang, minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation ( MOSTI), who witnessed the strategic partnership, make the announcement at MYStartup NXT, a micro-conference held in Cyberjaya.
In order to provide 4, 400 Malaysian startups with access to its comprehensive suite of business applications, Zoho has committed over US$ 10 million ( RM44 million ) in Zoho Wallet credits as part of the partnership. Each participating startup may get credits that are one-year old, giving them the freedom to experiment with and follow tools that are specifically designed for their growth and operational requirements.
The Zoho for Startups program claims to have worked with over 18, 000 companies globally since its founding in 2017 through collaborations with more than 200 startups, startups, and startup-enabling organizations.
This option will be available to businesses in Malaysia within Cradle’s extensive habitat, which includes businesses in their early stages through Series B. To ensure broad awareness and engagement, the program may be promoted through several contacts, including WhatsApp organizations, emails, occasions, and social media. Startups does use through the website MYStartup Single Window. mystartup. gov. My ) to enroll in the program and use Zoho’s alternatives for their upcoming development.
” At Cradle, we think businesses develop more quickly when they are properly positioned and surrounded by the appropriate ecosystem.” To enable that, our partnership with Zoho aims to give members easy access to top-notch software solutions that can propel their next big step. We are opening doors to international prospects and assisting companies in building with confidence through the MYStartup Single Window program, according to Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle.
However, Kuppulakshmi Krishnamoorthy, Global Head – Zoho for Startups, stated that the program “operates like a lift model, responding to the environment’s proactiveness, while pursuing Zoho’s growth strategy for the region.” Malaysia is rapidly developing its innovation landscape, supported by the government and with liberal policies. We want to make this partnership one of the most beneficial for Malaysia because of our extensive knowledge running the program in more than 10 areas, including India.
The rapidly expanding startup ecosystem in Malaysia offers an exciting opportunity to interact with a powerful, tech-savvy community, according to Gibu Mathew, vice president and general manager, Zoho APAC. This is the perfect time to launch Zoho for Startups because of strong state support and creative members. We look forward to seeing how Malaysia’s attractive habitat embraces our solutions, which are already popular with companies like Zoho CRM, Zoho Workplace, Zoho Books, Zoho Creator, Zoho Desk, and Zoho One.
Zoho is looking into opportunities to support various government-led business initiatives by speaking or speaking at appropriate cohort events in addition to offering wallet credits. This reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to providing businesses with the tools needed for success and creating a green company habitat in Malaysia.
This collaboration represents a major step in promoting innovation, fostering innovation, and fostering the growth of the upcoming wave of successful technology firms in Malaysia.
Visit Zoho for Startups for more details and to learn how your business can benefit from this system.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand ( SET ) has announced listings of eight depositary receipts ( DRs ) for Chinese technology and telecommunication companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange ( HKEX ).
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In a further escalation of the US trade war, the US Department of Commerce has placed antidumping duties ( AD ) and countervailing duties ( CVD ) on crystalline photovoltaic cells ( solar cells ) arriving into the US from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, according to an April 21 announcement.
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