Asia Pacific
US chip curbs slow but do not stop China’s AI progress
US restrictions on advanced semiconductors have raised costs and delayed China’s progress, but have not prevented it
Japan to bargain hard on US trade and could walk away
US refusal to cut auto tariffs, and Japanese reluctance to open up agriculture, narrow the ground for a deal
US tariffs threaten commercial aerospace trade
The aerospace sector faces the prospect of markedly higher US tariffs after 45 years of relatively stable trading
Off-ramps may get more elusive for India and Pakistan
The two sides have continued to engage in tit-for-tat military action
IndiaChina’s May trade will see greater tariff impacts
China’s exports rose by 8.1% in April, much more than expected thanks to greater intra-Asia trade
ChinaAustralia's Labor will govern with fewer constraints
Labor won a solid House majority and has a workable Senate alliance, while the opposition is in disarray
AustraliaCuts will increase instability in Afghanistan
The Taliban supreme leader recently ordered major personnel cuts across state institutions
AfghanistanDrone row risks worsening India-Pakistan crisis
Each side today reported drone strikes by the other
IndiaPhilippine-Chinese tensions will again be in focus
The two sides have traded accusations over an encounter involving Philippine and Chinese naval vessels
Philippines
