Global Scans · China · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Any disruption in economic activity between China and the United States will necessarily affect other Asian and world economies. How China handles Donald Trump's administration, its relationship with Russia and develops its leadership ambitions will be key areas to watch intently in the coming years.

• [New] Other banks, such as the People's Bank of China and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, have launched financing programs for the tech industry, which will likely include funding for AI specifically. Rand Corporation
• [New] The rapid expansion of computing infrastructure is a top priority for Chinese policymakers and could provide Chinese tech companies (particularly start-ups, as well as small and medium-sized firms) with much-needed access to scarce compute resources. Rand Corporation
• [New] China will be able to meet the increased power demands of deploying AI and could provide subsidized electricity to AI developers and deployers, which could reduce the operating costs associated with AI. Rand Corporation
• [New] The state support probably will not hurt, as the policies that China is prioritizing appear, on net, to be targeted to the key needs of the AI industry as a whole. Rand Corporation
• [New] S&P Global Markit Intelligence projects reduced tariffs on imports from China compared with last month, but EIA expects tariffs on imports from other countries to remain at 10% after the 90-day pause expires in July. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• [New] To overcome China's economic coercion, the US and its allies will need to develop alternative sources of production and processing of critical minerals and shield them from Chinese price manipulation. Hudson Institute
• [New] China could use its processing dominance of critical minerals as a tool of economic coercion against the United States and other Western economies. Hudson Institute
• [New] Russia, China, and Iran are carrying out online disinformation campaigns to stoke fear and discord in the U.S. UANI
• [New] The government of Taiwan considers an attack by China very unlikely but fears a blockade, short of a shooting war, to which its allies might not react. EJINSIGHT
• [New] The increases to nations' GDP will be unequally dispersed, with North America and China experiencing the most gains while the Global South gains far less. allAfrica.com
• [New] In summary, while China is welcoming travelers as never before, the current landscape requires that listeners take health, safety, and legal risks seriously and remain informed about the latest travel advisories before and during their journey. Podtail
• [New] Tesla's full robo-taxi rollout, expected in 2026, will significantly impact shares and revenues, driven by advanced voice interface capabilities that will become a key selling feature, particularly in tech-savvy markets like China. Digital Habitats
• [New] In the North American Arctic, Russia is recognized as an issue, but China is seen as the primary threat on a global level that is then extrapolated to the Arctic. Arctic Circle
• [New] Countries like China (26.1%), the US, and India (23.8%) are expected to see significant GDP boosts due to AI adoption. Cognitive Today :The New World of Machine Learning and
• [New] Experts now warn of China Shock 2.0, which poses a greater threat as China increasingly dominates innovative sectors like AI, advanced communications, and renewable energy, where the U.S. traditionally led. The Verardo Group's Substack
• [New] The US could redefine goods manufactured in the EU through Chinese direct investment as Chinese products and demand higher levies from EU businesses. Deutsche Welle
• [New] China's foreign minister recently stated that Europe's normal rare earths demand could be met, suggesting Beijing is positioning itself as a reliable supplier to at least some Western markets. Discovery Alert
• [New] Australia will refuse any US request to join a hypothetical conflict with China over Taiwan and will not make any advance commitment. The Guardian
• [New] The BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) have the potential to surpass the US in economic and military power over the next 25 years. Dollar Collapse
• [New] China and India will strengthen their influence as leaders of the Global South, influencing investment flows and setting technological standards. Modern Ghana
• There is an increasing threat from expanding ability of China, Russia, and North Korea to deliver nuclear weapons against the United States, including the territories of the United States. GovTrack.us
• Supply chain disruptions - from sanctions on Russian oil and gas to Red Sea shipping bottlenecks - are driving volatility across key commodities, while protectionist policies, including US tariffs on metals and China's export bans on critical minerals, are reshaping global trade flows. Research and Markets

Last updated: 18 July 2025