Economy and TradingInternational Business and Trade

US Tariffs Drive Sharp Decline in India Exports as Trade Talks Intensify

India’s exports to the United States have plummeted 37.5% over four consecutive months as new tariffs take effect. Trade negotiations between the two countries have resumed with the goal of concluding an agreement by next month amid ongoing disputes over agriculture and dairy access.

Significant Export Decline Following Tariff Implementation

India’s exports to the United States have reportedly plunged 37.5% over four consecutive months, dropping from $8.8 billion in May to $5.5 billion in September, according to recent trade analysis. The decline comes as new tariff measures implemented by the Trump administration continue to weigh heavily on bilateral trade relations between the two nations.

GovernmentPolicy

China Expands Civil Service Age Limits to Combat Workforce Age Discrimination

China has increased the maximum hiring age for civil service positions for the first time in three decades, from 35 to 38. The move aims to combat age discrimination in the job market and address demographic challenges facing the country’s workforce.

Historic Policy Shift in Civil Service Recruitment

China has reportedly increased the maximum hiring age for some civil service positions for the first time in three decades, raising it from 35 to 38 years old, according to Reuters reports. The revision was announced ahead of the opening of applications for the national civil service examination, with candidates now required to be between 18 and 38 years of age to apply. Sources indicate that for applicants with master’s or doctoral degrees, the age limit has been extended even further to 43 from the previous 40.

International Business and TradePolicy

US-China Trade Tensions Escalate Over Export Controls and Rare Earths

Trade tensions between the United States and China have intensified following new export controls on batteries and rare earth elements. Both nations have exchanged threats and retaliatory measures, creating uncertainty in global markets. The situation highlights what analysts describe as “mutually assured disruption” between the world’s two largest economies.

Escalating Trade Tensions

Trade relations between the United States and China have reached a new critical point as both nations implement aggressive export control measures, according to recent reports. The tension escalated when President Donald Trump threatened retaliation against Beijing’s new restrictions on batteries and rare earth elements, crucial components in numerous high-tech industries.

BusinessInternational Business and Trade

DBS CEO Advocates Diversification Strategy Amid Trump Tariff Threats, Points to Asia Trade Shifts

Southeast Asia’s largest bank faces economic uncertainty as U.S. tariffs threaten global trade flows. DBS’s first female CEO reveals how diversification and regional partnerships could redefine supply chains. The banking leader also shares insights on her transformative journey from “worst bank” to industry powerhouse.

Economic Storm Clouds Gather as New CEO Takes Helm

DBS Group Holdings Ltd., Southeast Asia’s largest bank, faced immediate economic headwinds as CEO Tan Su Shan assumed leadership in March, just days before former U.S. President Donald Trump implemented sweeping tariff measures across global markets, according to reports from the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit.

GovernmentPolicy

UK Government Releases Witness Statements in Dropped China Espionage Case

The UK government has released three witness statements from the deputy national security adviser that prosecutors deemed insufficient to proceed with espionage charges against two Britons. The documents reveal tensions between ministers and the Crown Prosecution Service over evidence thresholds in the high-profile China spy case.

Key Witness Statements Published in China Espionage Case

Downing Street has published three witness statements from the UK’s deputy national security adviser in an effort to resolve the controversy surrounding dropped espionage charges against two Britons accused of spying for China. According to reports, the charges against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were abandoned because prosecutors could not obtain sufficient evidence that Beijing represented a “threat to the national security of the UK” over “many months.”

Arts and EntertainmentAssistive TechnologySemiconductors

ASML Sees AI-Driven Orders Surge Amid China Sales Decline Forecast

ASML Holding, the leading chip equipment maker, has exceeded Q3 order estimates amid booming AI investments. However, the company anticipates Chinese sales to drop significantly next year following export restrictions. Shares rose 3.2% following the positive earnings report.

AI Investment Boom Drives ASML Performance

ASML Holding, the world’s largest supplier of computer chip-making equipment, has reportedly beaten third-quarter order estimates as the global rush toward artificial intelligence continues to drive demand, according to recent financial reports. The company’s net bookings reached 5.40 billion euros ($6.27 billion), surpassing analyst expectations of 5.36 billion euros.

International Business and TradePolicy

US Treasury Warns China Export Controls Could Force Global Decoupling, Trade Tensions Escalate

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that China’s sweeping new export controls on rare earths and critical minerals could force the world to decouple from Chinese supply chains. The warning comes as Beijing implements licensing requirements that could significantly impact global industries dependent on these strategic materials.

US Officials Warn of Forced Decoupling Over China Export Controls

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has issued a stark warning to Beijing that its new sweeping export controls on rare earth elements and critical minerals could force the world to decouple from China, according to reports from the FirstFT newsletter. Bessent delivered the warning alongside US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at a news conference, where he stated that “if China wants to be an unreliable partner to the world, then the world will have to decouple.”

GovernmentPolicy

UK Government Releases Evidence in Dropped China Espionage Case

The UK government has published evidence from the collapsed case against two men accused of spying for China. Witness statements from the deputy national security adviser reveal assessments about China’s threat level to national security.

Government Releases Evidence in Collapsed Espionage Case

The UK government has published witness statements submitted in the now-collapsed case against two men accused of violating the Official Secrets Act while allegedly spying for China, according to reports from legal sources. The case against Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry was unexpectedly dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service last month, with both men having consistently denied the allegations.

CybersecurityPolicy

Taiwan Reports Escalating Chinese Cyberattacks Targeting Critical Infrastructure

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau reports Chinese cyberattacks have increased 17% this year, with over 2.8 million daily intrusion attempts. The campaigns target critical infrastructure and include widespread misinformation operations ahead of Taiwan’s 2026 local elections.

Cybersecurity Threats Intensify Against Taiwan

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau has reported a significant escalation in cyberattack activities originating from China, with government networks facing approximately 2.8 million intrusion attempts daily according to recent security assessments. This represents a 17% increase compared to the previous year, sources indicate, as tensions continue to mount between Taipei and Beijing.

International Business and TradePolicy

US Warns of Global Economic Decoupling Over China’s Rare Earth Export Controls

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that China’s sweeping new export controls on rare earth elements could force global economic decoupling. The measures, scheduled for December implementation, have drawn sharp criticism from US officials who describe them as “economic coercion” affecting global supply chains.

US Officials Issue Stern Warning Over China’s Export Controls

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has delivered a stark warning to Beijing, stating that new export controls on rare earths and critical minerals could force the US and other nations to “decouple” from China, according to reports from a Wednesday news conference. Bessent, speaking alongside US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, emphasized that while the world prefers “de-risking” rather than complete decoupling, China’s actions are pushing global economies in that direction.