ING Group forecasts a bullish outlook for gold in 2025, driven by potential US-China trade tensions and global commodity market uncertainty. Despite challenges for other commodities, gold’s safe-haven status is expected to boost prices to an average of $2,760 per ounce. Central bank diversification and geopolitical anxieties further fuel this prediction.
Despite ongoing trade tensions and protectionist policies, Chinese battery giant CATL expresses interest in establishing a manufacturing plant in the US. This move could significantly impact the American electric vehicle market, but faces challenges from US government restrictions and security concerns.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is facing a roadblock in its plans to manufacture 2-nanometer chips overseas due to Taiwan’s strict technology protection regulations. Despite this, TSMC’s U.S. expansion plans remain unaffected, and the company continues to invest heavily in Arizona. However, the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China are adding a layer of complexity to TSMC’s global operations.
Ford CEO Jim Farley has publicly praised the Xiaomi Speed Ultra 7 (SU7), highlighting its performance and market success. This comes as the US considers banning Chinese-made vehicles due to national security concerns, adding a layer of complexity to the situation. Despite its popularity, Xiaomi’s EV division faces financial hurdles, reporting losses in the second quarter.
The Cybersecurity Association of China (CSAC) has demanded a security review of Intel’s products, raising concerns about potential threats to national security. This move comes amidst escalating trade tensions between the US and China, with CSAC accusing Intel of using its chips for surveillance and installing backdoors. Intel has denied these allegations and claims to prioritize product safety, while the review highlights the ongoing battle for technological dominance between the two superpowers.
Chinese-backed electric vehicle maker Polestar Automotive is shifting production of cars destined for Europe to its US plant in response to rising geopolitical tensions. The company’s CEO, Thomas Ingenlath, expressed concerns about a potential European probe into Chinese-made EVs and the impact of increased tariffs. Polestar plans to export its Polestar 3 SUV from South Carolina to the European Union, where it currently builds its vehicles in China. The automaker’s efforts come as European and US authorities scrutinize exports by Chinese EV makers, alleging unfair advantages from state subsidies.
US exports to China fell by 4.3% last year to $144.9 billion, due in part to policy changes and China’s economic slowdown. The US-China Business Council emphasized the importance of considering the geopolitical implications of trade policy decisions and the potential consequences for US sectors such as agriculture. Despite the decline, oilseeds and grains remained the top exports to China, while semiconductor and travel services exports dropped significantly.
A Chinese foreign ministry official has accused the US of taking measures to suppress China’s economy and trade, leading to tensions ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit. The official dismissed US allegations of Chinese overcapacity as a “false narrative” and warned against American interference in the South China Sea.
