China’s newest solar-energy manufacturers include a dairy farmer and a toy maker. The new entrants are examples of a green-energy spending binge in China that is fueling the country’s rapid build-out of renewable energy while also creating a glut of solar components that is rippling through the industry and stymying attempts to build such manufacturing… Continue reading China’s Spending on Green Energy Is Causing a Global Glut
Beijing’s export restrictions on two minerals this week show it is willing to use its dominance to rock Western supply chains SINGAPORE—China’s decision this week to restrict the export of two minerals used in semiconductors, solar panels and missile systems was more than a trade salvo. It was a reminder of its dominant hold over… Continue reading China Controls Minerals That Run the World—and It Just Fired a Warning Shot at U.S.
Not much could unite Peng Lifa, the activist who disappeared after staging a rare anti-lockdown protest in Beijing last year, and Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader who Peng was criticising. But in October 2022, both men diagnosed the same vulnerability in China: food. “We want food, not PCR tests,” read Peng’s bright red characters, emblazoned… Continue reading China’s war chest: Beijing seeks to remedy its vulnerability to food and energy embargoes
The ongoing economic turbulence facing Pakistan is unprecedented in many ways. Inflation is at a 48-year high with the Consumer Price Index increasing by 27.6% and Wholesale Price Index registering a growth of 28.5% during January 2023. Falling below $3 billion recently, the forex reserves in the country have hit a nine year low. Thanks… Continue reading Economic crisis of Pakistan spills to its missions worldwide
Pakistan is facing energy crisis, high inflation and depleting remittances while its exports have declined from USD 3 billion to USD 2.2 billion. Power cuts are crippling household and commercial activities, while gas rationing to the textile sector has resulted in a loss of USD 1 billion in export orders. Despite energy conservation efforts, many… Continue reading Pakistan’s Efforts for Diversifying Sources of Energy Not Fructifying
SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt—U.S. climate envoy John Kerry is planning to propose a new carbon-credit program that aims to ramp up funding from businesses and governments in wealthy economies to help developing countries cut back on fossil fuels. Mr. Kerry said in an interview that he plans to make the proposal at the United Nations… Continue reading As COP27 Begins, U.S. Seeks Billions in Carbon Credits to Wean Developing Countries Off Fossil Fuels
Political divergences and economic competition are becoming more prominent in relations between the EU and China. In this situation, using economic pressure is a strategy for defending China’s objectives and interests. It sends a strong message to businesses and governments that there will be financial consequences if measures are done that Beijing deems unacceptable. Companies… Continue reading Managing Chinese economic coercion
EU member state prepares to help fill regional void left by Russian cuts while retaining a focus on green power The war in Ukraine exposed the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels, but an oil pipeline conceived as a Yugoslav rival to Soviet infrastructure could help Croatia emerge as a winner from Europe’s energy crisis.… Continue reading Croatia a new energy hub for Central-Eastern European countries?
