Economy and TradingInternational Business and Trade

Treasury Yields Decline Amid U.S.-China Trade Tensions, Government Shutdown Impact

Treasury yields dipped slightly as markets weighed escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, including threats of a cooking oil embargo and new sanctions. The ongoing government shutdown has also delayed key economic data, leaving investors navigating uncertainty.

Treasury yields moved modestly lower in recent trading sessions, reflecting investor caution amid evolving trade developments and domestic political uncertainties. One basis point equals 0.01%, and it’s crucial to remember that yields and prices move in opposite directions, a fundamental relationship in bond markets. This movement comes as market participants digest a complex mix of international trade disputes and the economic implications of a prolonged U.S. government shutdown.

U.S.-China Trade Tensions Escalate with New Threats and Sanctions

ManufacturingMining

Titan Mining’s Graphite Production Expansion Amid China Export Limits

Titan Mining announces graphite concentrate production at its New York facility, with shares soaring 26.8% after China’s expanded export limits. The move aims to supply half of U.S. natural graphite demand, highlighting strategic shifts in global supply chains for EV batteries and renewable energy.

In a significant development for the North American minerals sector, Titan Mining has revealed plans to commence graphite concentrate production at its Empire State Mines in New York, sparking a 26.8% surge in its stock price. This strategic move comes just days after China broadened its export restrictions on critical minerals, underscoring global supply chain vulnerabilities. With an annual output target of 40,000 tonnes, Titan aims to fulfill approximately 50% of the current U.S. natural graphite demand, positioning itself as a key player in reducing dependency on foreign sources.

Graphite’s Critical Role in Modern Technology

BusinessInternational Business and Trade

China’s Manufacturing Dominance Shakes Western Executives: Automation, EVs, and Global Competition

Western executives visiting China’s manufacturing facilities return with sobering assessments of automated “dark factories” and robotic production lines. From electric vehicles to artificial intelligence, China’s industrial transformation is reshaping global competition and forcing Western companies to reconsider their strategies.

Western automotive and green energy executives are returning from China with sobering assessments of the country’s manufacturing capabilities, describing advanced automation systems that operate continuously without human intervention. These visits have revealed a technological gap that many executives believe could leave Western nations behind in critical industries, particularly electric vehicle production and green energy technologies.

The Reality of China’s Automated Manufacturing

International Business and TradePolicy

China Rare Earth Restrictions Threaten U.S. Defense Industry and Trade Relations

China’s new restrictions on rare earth exports for military use threaten critical U.S. defense systems including F-35 jets and submarines. With China controlling over 90% of global rare earth refining, the move gives Beijing significant leverage in trade negotiations.

China’s sweeping restrictions on rare earth exports specifically targeting foreign military applications represent a significant escalation in trade tensions that could severely impact U.S. defense capabilities and potentially reignite a broader trade war between the world’s two largest economies. The October 9 announcement from China’s Ministry of Commerce marks the first time Beijing has explicitly prohibited rare earth exports for defense purposes, creating immediate vulnerabilities for American weapons systems that depend on these critical materials.

How Rare Earth Restrictions Threaten U.S. Defense Systems