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US

Economy, Trade & Business

Society & Culture

Science & Technology

US President Donald Trump announces the US Navy’s “Golden Fleet” battleship programme at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, in December 2025. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Politics

Trump seeks US$1.5 trillion for defence in new budget request amid Iran war

If enacted, it would set military spending at its highest level in modern history, underscoring the US’ ongoing focus on defence investment.

4 Apr 2026 - 3:10AMvideocam

What 2 downed jets mean for US vulnerability in the Iran war

4 Apr 2026 - 9:57AMvideocam

Washington launches export initiative to ensure ‘future of AI’ is led by US

3 Apr 2026 - 7:07PM

Politics

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US president’s frustration with bad news grows

Attorney general’s removal follows the ouster of Trump’s homeland security and border patrol chiefs amid a wave of negative headlines.

3 Apr 2026 - 3:40PM

US Attorney General Pam Bondi and US President Donald Trump on Monday. Bondi was fired on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Global Economy

The US-China trade war 1 year on: who really holds the upper hand?

A fragile truce prevented all-out confrontation, but Beijing and Washington remain locked in a struggle few analysts see easing any time soon.

3 Apr 2026 - 6:15AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

3 Apr 2026 - 4:35PMvideocam

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US

As Xi-Trump summit approaches, tariffs continue to choke direct trade

Deficit with mainland hits two-decade low as trade shifts to Taiwan, Mexico and Vietnam amid tariff fallout and efforts to stabilise ties.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:42AMvideocam

Shipping containers wait to be transported along a railroad at the port of Los Angeles in Long Beach, California, one of the busiest gateways for US trade. Photo: Reuters

Global Economy

Trump’s ex-China mineral-alliance plan faces cost surge amid Iran war oil shock

Analysts say Middle East turmoil is elevating commodity input costs, affecting processing efforts and prompting push for ‘friendshoring’ to secure resources.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:00PM

US

Trump sends crude surging as Iran speech fails to allay war concerns

Oil prices shot up and stocks fell as US President Donald Trump failed to set a clear end date for the war on Iran during his address to the nation.

2 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM

China Economy

Open Questions | Iran war to test China’s self-reliance, Goldman Sachs economist says

Andrew Tilton, Goldman’s chief Asia-Pacific economist, on Iran conflict’s impacts, why exports continue to drive China’s growth and an end to its housing slump.

2 Apr 2026 - 3:30PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US

Controlled escalation? Trump hails ‘victories’ in Iran but vows more strikes

US president tells anxious Americans that the conflict’s core objectives are ‘nearing completion’ but fails to lay out a clear timeline to end the war.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:31PMvideocam

President Donald Trump speaks about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Washington. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

China targeted in US birthright citizenship debate, but court justices sceptical

China benefiting from ‘birth tourism industry’, top litigator claims, with Trump in attendance – a historic first for a sitting president.

2 Apr 2026 - 6:04AMvideocam

China

US threats for Chile, China tariffs Mexico: 7 Latin America relations reads

From Panama Canal woes to an undersea cable scandal in Chile, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026.

1 Apr 2026 - 11:00PM

China Economy

US lawmakers call for major crackdown on China’s alleged sanctioned oil imports

Bipartisan panel argues sanctions have concentrated discounted oil in Beijing's hands – charges the Chinese government denies.

2 Apr 2026 - 11:59AM

This aerial picture taken on October 1, 2025 off the coast of the western France port of Saint-Nazaire shows the tanker Boracay from one of Russia’s “shadow fleets”. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

‘Lack of moral character’: pair who stole secrets for China loses US citizenship

Case reflects the Trump administration’s stated goal of ‘maximally pursuing’ denaturalisation wherever legally possible.

1 Apr 2026 - 8:25PMvideocam

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the latest denaturalisations ensure that US citizenship “remains a privilege to obtain, not a right to abuse”. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Diplomacy

Trump-Xi summit: US trade chief casts doubt on pre-meeting Beijing visit

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says key Trump officials unlikely to meet Chinese counterparts, in a break from usual practice for talks.

1 Apr 2026 - 6:23AMvideocam

China Economy

3 Chinese ships exit Strait of Hormuz as PetroChina stresses operations stable

PetroChina chairman addresses annual results conference as three Chinese vessels transit Strait of Hormuz and Iran passes law on transit fees.

31 Mar 2026 - 7:00PM

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US Elections

For lame duck Biden, an anticlimactic exit from the world stage

Outgoing US president, who will give way to Donald Trump in two months, has little to no clout at upcoming global summits.

15 Nov 2024 - 12:29AMvideocam

US President Joe Biden will leave office on January 20. Photo: AP

Politics

Exclusive | In China, fear of regime change has shaped US policy. Here’s why

For Beijing, regime security is everything and concerns about ‘hostile Western forces’ will continue, no matter who ends up in the White House.

6 Nov 2024 - 6:42AMvideocam

World

Rise of Asian-American voters in US elections — a visual explainer

Asian-Americans have emerged as a significant voter demographic in the United States. Recent polling sheds light on which candidate they may prefer in 2024.

3 Oct 2024 - 7:00PM

China

‘Feeling attacked’ by Texas law threat, Chinese-Americans turn to activism

Legislation to bar Chinese citizens from buying property in the state ultimately failed, but many became politically engaged because of it.

18 Oct 2024 - 5:36AM

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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