https://www.scmp.com/rss/522480/feed The latest news and top stories on Rajiv Biswas, CEO of Asia-Pacific Economics. Known for his extensive experience as a professional economist, he is also executive director and Asia-Pacific chief economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence. He has a background in country risk analysis and has held senior roles at The Economist Group and UBS. His work involves macroeconomic analysis and geopolitical risk assessments for the Asia-Pacific region. Key accomplishments include authoring several books... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Jet fuel shortages and surging prices are forcing flight cancellations across the Asia-Pacific, a squeeze that could intensify after the United States began controlling oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz following failed peace talks with Iran. Tehran’s effective closure of the strait – a chokepoint for about 20 per cent of global oil supply – is hitting regional airlines, particularly in countries without strategic energy reserves, analysts said. Jet fuel reached nearly US$198 in the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3349928/asia-air-travel-faces-turbulence-iran-war-exposes-jet-fuel-vulnerability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3349928/asia-air-travel-faces-turbulence-iran-war-exposes-jet-fuel-vulnerability?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:00:31 +0000 Kandy Wong Kandy Wong China could potentially face shortages of methanol – a vital input for several industries – if the Iran war drags on and causes lengthy disruptions to shipping traffic along the Strait of Hormuz, analysts said. Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, is a chemical compound that is widely used by Chinese producers. It is both a biofuel and a key raw material for a range of products – from paint and formaldehyde to plastics and synthetic fabrics. The growing conflict in the Middle East could be a... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345276/iran-war-could-significantly-disrupt-chinas-methanol-imports-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345276/iran-war-could-significantly-disrupt-chinas-methanol-imports-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:00:09 +0000 Xiaofei Xu,Kandy Wong Xiaofei Xu,Kandy Wong Near the end of last year, thousands of European travellers saw their holiday plans unravel after a prolonged power outage in the Eurotunnel – the underwater train passage linking Britain and France – caused by a fault in the overhead supply. For many, this brought back memories of chaotic scenes the previous April, when rolling blackouts struck much of Portugal and Spain. The United States also suffered from multiple power outages last year, including major disruptions in California – most... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339668/ai-boom-needs-electricity-western-grids-are-strained-power-chinas-power?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339668/ai-boom-needs-electricity-western-grids-are-strained-power-chinas-power?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 22:01:07 +0000 Kandy Wong,Ralph Jennings,Xinyi Wu Kandy Wong,Ralph Jennings,Xinyi Wu Washington’s secondary sanctions on countries trading with Iran are likely to push up China’s oil import costs in the short term and send a dire warning to Beijing’s policymakers, who analysts said need to urgently find ways to protect the country’s strategic interests abroad. The shock waves arrived on Monday, when US President Donald Trump said a 25 per cent tariff would be imposed immediately on all goods and services imported from any country that “does business” with Iran, linking the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339731/will-trumps-iran-tariffs-force-china-reshape-its-trade-tehran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339731/will-trumps-iran-tariffs-force-china-reshape-its-trade-tehran?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:00:11 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Fears of China choking off exports of critical minerals to Japan amid a deepening political dispute have set off industry alarms and prompted Tokyo to elevate the issue at a G7 gathering of finance ministers this week, despite Beijing’s assurances that civilian trade would be spared. Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said last week that she would attend the Group of Seven event in Washington on Monday with the “risk of a rare-earth-supply interruption from China in mind”, the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3339615/japan-firms-seen-stockpiling-rare-earths-tokyo-looks-g7-face-china-controls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3339615/japan-firms-seen-stockpiling-rare-earths-tokyo-looks-g7-face-china-controls?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:00:12 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Laos has received approval to begin exporting fresh durians to China, becoming the latest Southeast Asian nation to vie for a slice of the vast Chinese market for the tropical fruit. China’s General Administration of Customs said on its website that Laos was given clearance to begin exports from this past Friday as long as its shipments met phytosanitary standards. Laos could emerge as a challenger in China’s increasingly crowded durian market, as it benefits from cheap labour, logistical... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3336771/laos-cleared-export-fresh-durians-china-malaysia-thailand-face-new-rival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3336771/laos-cleared-export-fresh-durians-china-malaysia-thailand-face-new-rival?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 01:00:14 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Houthi rebel groups in Yemen signalled in November they would halt attacks on commercial ships passing through the Red Sea if the Gaza ceasefire held, allowing a possible end to two years of costly detours for cargo shipping between Asia and Europe. Dutch financial services group ING called the potential reopening of Red Sea shipping lanes a “key thing to watch for in container shipping” next year. And it would have particular significance for China: the world’s biggest merchandise... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3335200/return-red-sea-shipping-3-scenarios-chinese-trade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3335200/return-red-sea-shipping-3-scenarios-chinese-trade?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:30:10 +0000 Mia Nurmamat,Ralph Jennings Mia Nurmamat,Ralph Jennings Three years into the cross-border e-commerce trade, Shenzhen-based seller Xiong Hao is grappling with the fallout from Washington’s decision to scrap duty-free treatment for small parcels – and now the European Union looks to deliver the next blow. “It’s getting harder and harder in the current environment,” said Xiong, who deals in toys and household goods. “Even though small parcels are technically duty-free, the EU already has a lot of miscellaneous taxes.” EU member states have agreed with... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3332843/china-sellers-brace-eu-preps-us-style-move-tighten-rules-low-value-parcels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3332843/china-sellers-brace-eu-preps-us-style-move-tighten-rules-low-value-parcels?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:00:10 +0000 Kandy Wong Kandy Wong A northern Chinese region that boasts the world’s biggest rare earth element (REE) mine is looking to develop its second-largest city, Baotou, into a world-leading hub for critical materials. And analysts say the effort could further shore up China’s leading position in the supply chain. In a 10-year development plan, which includes intentions to build a “solid ecological security barrier”, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region said it will make comprehensive progress on the protection and... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3332645/baotou-set-become-chinas-rare-earth-hub-under-inner-mongolias-10-year-plan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3332645/baotou-set-become-chinas-rare-earth-hub-under-inner-mongolias-10-year-plan?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:30:13 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Boeing has appointed a former White House adviser with China experience to head its business in the country as stiff headwinds test the American aircraft giant in its second-biggest market after the US. Boeing announced on its website on Thursday that Landon Loomis would work as the company’s China president. Boeing senior vice-president Brendan Nelson said in the statement that Loomis’ government experience and previous time in China would “continue to strengthen our long-standing partnership... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3330319/boeing-picks-mandarin-speaking-ex-white-house-adviser-lead-china-business?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3330319/boeing-picks-mandarin-speaking-ex-white-house-adviser-lead-china-business?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Oct 2025 11:30:01 +0000 Mia Nurmamat,Kandy Wong Mia Nurmamat,Kandy Wong China and the United States have unleashed a barrage of economic sanctions and export control measures in recent days – and the tit-for-tat exchange is unlikely to end soon as the two sides seek leverage in ongoing talks over trade and technology issues, analysts said. On Thursday, Washington imposed sanctions on a slew of Chinese entities, including an independent refinery and terminal, alleging they were involved in purchasing or shipping Iranian oil. Just hours earlier, Beijing had issued six... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328559/tit-tat-response-why-china-unleashed-fresh-sanction-export-curb-blitz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328559/tit-tat-response-why-china-unleashed-fresh-sanction-export-curb-blitz?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:00:08 +0000 Alice Li,Kandy Wong Alice Li,Kandy Wong While US officials express expectations of meaningful progress in the next round of trade talks – where agricultural purchases are likely to top the agenda – analysts suggest soybeans are poised to become a key bargaining chip for China in upcoming negotiations, and a comprehensive deal may not be easily signed. James Downes, executive co-director at the Centre for Research and Social Progress, an Italian think tank, said that US President Donald Trump was “strongly motivated” to secure a... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327815/soybeans-chinas-new-bargaining-chip-trade-war-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327815/soybeans-chinas-new-bargaining-chip-trade-war-us?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 13:00:09 +0000 Alice Li,Kandy Wong Alice Li,Kandy Wong From funding Intel to eyeing a potential stake in Lithium Americas, the United States is increasingly wielding the government’s “visible hand” in its once-celebrated free market – a strategy long associated with China. Analysts said Washington’s recent embrace of industrial policy – though limited to certain strategic sectors, such as semiconductors and critical minerals – reflects growing concern over the vulnerability of global supply chains amid rising US-China competition. “I believe the US... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3326869/intel-lithium-trump-borrows-beijings-industrial-playbook-us-china-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3326869/intel-lithium-trump-borrows-beijings-industrial-playbook-us-china-race?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 14:00:10 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Malaysia’s ban on exports of unprocessed rare earth metals this week signals that the Southeast Asian country has a realistic shot – on its own terms – at feeding the mineral-hungry United States amid its strained trade ties with the world’s dominant supplier, China, according to analysts. Kuala Lumpur will bar exports of unprocessed rare earth minerals, which are globally prized raw materials used in a range of electronic hardware, to keep supplies onshore for investment in downstream... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3322810/malaysia-flexes-rare-earth-muscle-mineral-hungry-us-seeks-non-chinese-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3322810/malaysia-flexes-rare-earth-muscle-mineral-hungry-us-seeks-non-chinese-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 02:00:22 +0000 Alice Li,Kandy Wong Alice Li,Kandy Wong China has launched an anti-dumping investigation into pea starch imported from Canada, marking Beijing’s latest retaliatory measure against Canada’s tariffs targeting Chinese steel. The probe was initiated at the request of domestic industry insiders, with preliminary evidence showing a significant increase in dumped Canadian pea starch in recent years, according to the Ministry of Commerce. “With import prices below domestic products, it has been causing losses and difficulties for China’s... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3321610/china-launches-anti-dumping-investigation-canadian-pea-starch-imports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3321610/china-launches-anti-dumping-investigation-canadian-pea-starch-imports?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:30:15 +0000 Alice Li,Kandy Wong Alice Li,Kandy Wong Rare earths are needed for everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, wind turbines and fighter jets – and China controls the supply chain. In the second of a four-part series, we look at how China gradually took a commanding role in the rare earth industry, and how the US is now working to strengthen its sources and production. Nearly a half-century removed from being the world’s dominant supplier of rare earth elements, California’s Mountain Pass mine is once again being tasked... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3320805/us-its-mountain-pass-or-fail-bid-supplant-chinas-rare-earth-supremacy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3320805/us-its-mountain-pass-or-fail-bid-supplant-chinas-rare-earth-supremacy?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 22:00:07 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Aaron Forkash, a scrap metal dealer based in California, plans to continue exporting copper to Asia even after US President Donald Trump’s new 50 per cent tariff on the metal comes into force on August 1. The Trump administration has said the import duty will help revive the US copper industry by making it more profitable to produce the metal at home. But the truth is that it is actually cheaper and easier for American scrap dealers to ship copper to China and other Asian economies than to... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3319594/trumps-copper-tariffs-fail-stop-us-metal-being-shipped-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3319594/trumps-copper-tariffs-fail-stop-us-metal-being-shipped-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:30:09 +0000