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TOPIC

Commodities

Commodities
Commodity market action from around the world with a focus on the commodities that matter most to investors in Hong Kong and China.
Bottles of Canola Harvest brand canola oil, made by a Canadian agribusiness firm, are seen on the shelf of a grocery store in Beijing. Photo: AP
China trade

China-Canada canola deal faces test as USMCA trade talks loom, insiders warn

Initial shipments bring hope, but ‘Fortress North America’ threat and lack of long-term guarantees leave producers wary of Beijing’s commitment.

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Donald Trump

Why gold still glitters in Asia despite volatility triggering ‘panic selling’

Banking & finance

China’s new golden rule: dig deeper mines, boost reserves and hedge global risks

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Donald Trump

Macroscope | Blame Trump, not Asian investors, for gold and silver volatility

The global uncertainty stemming from Trump’s behaviour is roiling precious metals markets far more than any investment from Asia.

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Molten gold made from jewelry is poured into a mold to produce a gold bar at the Austrian Gold and Silver Refinery in Vienna, Austria on February 3. Photo: AFP
China energy security

China’s cheap oil flows under strain as US ramps up Iran, Venezuela pressure

US restrictions could lead China to turn to higher-priced barrels in other markets, while it continues to reduce its reliance on oil imports.

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US-China trade war

US pitches critical minerals plan to allies to halt Beijing’s dominance

More than 50 countries encouraged to back US-led framework using price floors and financing to blunt Beijing’s control of hi-tech materials.

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China energy security

Shanxi’s green leap: renewables surpass coal in China’s energy hub

Where Shanxi goes, China goes, in their broad energy overhaul, as the region with a quarter of the nation’s coal serves as the ultimate proving ground for Beijing’s ‘dual carbon’ strategy.

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An aerial view of the Datong Panda Power Plant, where solar panels form massive panda patterns in Datong, Shanxi province. Photo: EPA
Rare earths

Video | Japan recovers rare earth samples from ocean depths of 6,000 metres (20,000ft)

Japan still relies on China for about 70 per cent of its rare earths, despite continuous efforts to find alternative sources.

US-China trade war

Trump unveils US$12 billion push to curb China’s grip on critical minerals

The initiative, dubbed Project Vault, aims to create a commercial stockpile to shield US manufacturers from supply shocks and price swings.

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Mainland China

Video | Shanghai residents cash in as gold prices surge

Record-high prices are being fuelled by geopolitical uncertainties.

A woman walks past a shop selling gold in Hong Kong on January 26, 2026. The price of safe-haven asset gold surpassed 5,000 USD, hitting a record amid rising global uncertainty and turmoil set off by US President Donald Trump’s policies. (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP)
China stock market

China halts trading in 5 silver and oil funds amid volatility

The trading halts and alerts aim to ‘maintain the stability of the capital markets’ and protect investors from ‘huge losses’, analyst says.

An employee shows bars of silver and gold in a safe deposit room in Munich, Germany, on January 28, 2026. Photo: Reuters
Gold in Hong Kong

Runaway gold: why even Wall Street can’t keep up with the metal’s record ascent

Some Chinese funds halt subscriptions as uncertainty fuels volatility in the metals market, while Hong Kong’s first gold exchange-traded fund surges on its debut.

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Banking & finance

China’s ‘gold fever’ sparks US$1 billion scandal as trading platform collapses

Chinese platform JWR faced a liquidity crisis as investors rushed to cash in on surging gold prices, leaving customers billions of yuan out of pocket.

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US-China trade war

Why Greenland’s rare earth riches cannot end US dependence on China’s minerals

Danish territory boasts vast critical mineral deposits – but mining and processing them extremely challenging, analyst says.

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Rare earths have become a point of contention in the US-China relationship, particularly after Beijing imposed export controls on the minerals following Washington launching its trade war in April. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Gold surges as Trump calls weak dollar ‘great’

The US president’s support for a weaker dollar has helped fuel gold’s gains this year, along with purchases by central banks and retail investors, including in China.

People queue outside a Hong Kong gold dealer. (Photo: AFP)
China-Latin America relations

China’s CMOC makes US$1 billion Brazil gold push as bullion jumps on rising global risks

Company gains three Brazilian mines as gold tops US$5,000 per ounce, highlighting Beijing’s resource push amid US-led geopolitical strains.

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Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s top gold miner buys Canada’s Allied Gold for US$4 billion as ties thaw

Acquisition follows Canadian leader Carney’s visit to China after years of diplomatic and investment friction.

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Gold in Hong Kong

Explainer | Why Hong Kong’s gold ambitions run through Shanghai

As Hong Kong and Shanghai deepen cooperation in the gold market, officials are hailing the agreement as ‘the dawn of a new chapter’.

Gold bricks displayed at Hong Kong Gold Exchange. Photo: Edmond So
Central banks

Gold surge has analysts eyeing new highs after US$5,100 record

Safe-haven demand spikes amid de-dollarisation fears and supply-chain tensions, as gold buyers seek stability against growing macro uncertainties.

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China food security

Rooted in resilience: how China’s seed push has planted agricultural ‘chips’

Domestic varieties claiming bigger market shares for key crops and livestock, curbing reliance on foreign sources for vital food production.

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United States

Opinion | From Venezuela to Greenland, Trump is using US power to rewrite the rules

What troubles many is the inconsistency emanating from Washington. When power underwrites rules, principles become negotiable.

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US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, Florida, on January 19. Photo: AP
The Philippines

Philippines’ new gas find fuels energy diversification hopes

With gas supply at a current well set to run out by 2027, potential new sources could help avert an energy crisis in Luzon.

The Malampaya East-1 reservoir in Palawan province, Philippines. Photo: AP
China economy

China unveils 18-point plan to boost global non-ferrous metals pricing power

The move is aimed at strengthening the links between the futures, spot and derivatives markets for non-ferrous metals and Shanghai’s role.

China-Africa relations

China widens trade gap with Africa to record US$102 billion amid US pressure

Data points to growing African trade deficit as Trump imposes tariffs, and African demand for manufactured goods and commodity price spikes.

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China trade

China’s zero-tariff gambit: why Beijing is slashing duties as Trump raises them

China’s average effective tariff rate estimated to be as low as 1.3 per cent in 2025, helping it secure raw materials and build soft power.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and African leaders arrive at a forum on China-Africa cooperation in Beijing. China has pledged to cut tariffs on most African imports to zero. Photo: Xinhua
Brazil

Brazil beef exports seen as stable in 2026 as industry pivots beyond China

Beef lobby Abiec said volumes not sold to China could be redirected other markets.

A butcher weighs meat at a butcher shop in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2024. Photo: AFP
Trade

Silver steps out of gold’s shadow as Southeast Asian investors rush in

Soaring prices, tight supply and geopolitical uncertainty are driving a regional rush into the once-overlooked precious metal.

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Greenland

Opinion | Greenland’s stress test of Nato will ripple beyond the Arctic

Greenland is a test case for how alliances handle sovereignty and trust amid great power rivalry, with important consequences for Asia.

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