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Curation Team

1. Trump’s demands on Taiwan to boost military spending could leave Lai facing defence budget nightmare
Donald Trump’s demands for Taiwan to drastically increase its defence spending could strain the island’s budget and US relations, as it faces growing threats from mainland China and pressure to meet American expectations.
2. Deal makers vs ideologues: hardliners may limit Trump’s transactional approach to Beijing on trade, technology and Taiwan, analysts warn
Donald Trump’s China policy may face internal conflicts as hardline appointees challenge his preferred deal-making approach, potentially impacting US-China relations, analysts suggest.
3. Trump hush money case delayed as judge considers presidential immunity ruling
Judge Juan M. Merchan has delayed ruling on whether to overturn Donald Trump’s hush money conviction over payments to a porn star after the president-elect’s lawyer argued for a freeze or dismissal of the case

4. US election result boosts Chinese economy as firms see soaring Trump merchandise orders
Donald Trump’s election win has unexpectedly boosted Chinese firms, particularly in Yiwu, as orders for Trump merchandise such as hats, clothing and figurines soar on platforms like Amazon and TikTok.
5. Trump appoints Fox News host as defence secretary, John Ratcliffe to lead CIA in bold move against China
The US president-elect nominates Fox News host and army vet Pete Hegseth for defence chief job and John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA, emphasising a hawkish stance against China. Trump highlights Hegseth’s commitment to troops, promising a “Great Again” military.
Part of this article was produced with the assistance of generative AI.


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SCMP Highlights

Trump’s Taiwan defence demands, accidental boost to mainland China’s economy and more

Taiwan might face impossible expectations from US president-elect who has called for the island to drastically increase military spending. Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Donald Trump waits for the start of proceedings in the Manhattan criminal court in April in the case involving hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. Photo: AP/Pool

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World

Donald Trump’s demands on Taiwan defence spending and his accidental boost to mainland China’s economy are some of our latest US election stories


Donald Trump’s demands on Taiwan defence spending and his accidental boost to mainland China’s economy are some of our latest US election stories.


Recap | Trump’s Taiwan defence demands, accidental boost to mainland China’s economy and more

Donald Trump’s demands on Taiwan defence spending and his accidental boost to mainland China’s economy are some of our latest US election stories