Italy and Japan are strengthening diplomatic ties, focusing on supply chains and technology cooperation. The leaders aim to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals and boost semiconductor manufacturing through joint ventures.
Thailand and Vietnam agreed to nearly double bilateral trade to $25 billion within four years, with plans to double it again later. The deal aims to integrate supply chains in electronics and semiconductors and reduce trade barriers, addressing shared external shocks like the fracturing of the rules-based trading order.
China's ports topped the 2025 Container Port Performance Index, with 7 in the global top 10, amid critical roles in managing supply chain disruptions post-Red Sea crisis and US-Israel war on Iran.
Sichuan police have arrested five individuals for illegally selling over 900,000 student personal data records, including academic performance and guardian contact information. The data was leaked by school staff and sold through offline channels to recruitment agencies, leading to a crackdown on a black market operation.
Japanese consumers are rushing to buy air conditioners before stricter 2027 energy efficiency standards take effect, leading to a surge in sales and installation delays. Supply chain issues related to naphtha are further complicating the situation.
US Special Envoy Sergio Gor met with officials from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan in the first in-person critical minerals dialogue under the C5+1 format. The meeting aims to deepen cooperation on raw material sourcing and investment, with Kazakhstan highlighting its mineral wealth and seeking US partnerships.
An investigation by Global Witness alleges that major brands like Amazon, Ericsson, and Sony may have unknowingly sourced coltan linked to the M23 militia, which controls mines in the DRC and is accused of widespread human rights abuses. The minerals are smuggled to Rwanda and then exported, with traceability systems reportedly failing to detect the conflict sourcing.
Mainland Chinese investors are experiencing FOMO over SpaceX's IPO, seeking exposure via offshore accounts and proxy stocks as direct participation is barred due to regulatory concerns. The company is targeting a $1.8 trillion valuation.
Walmart shareholders voted against a proposal requesting a report on how US immigration policy impacts operations. SOC Investment Group cited workforce and supply chain risks, but Walmart stated it hasn't experienced significant disruptions.
The US proposes tariffs (10-12.5%) on countries not adequately addressing forced labour, with rates varying based on enforcement measures; affected governments can challenge inclusion until July 6.
The Quad's relevance is increasingly tied to reacting to China's actions rather than leading with a clear regional vision for the Indo-Pacific.
Japan, in cooperation with the World Bank, is accelerating its energy security and supply chain project, posing a challenge to the US's economic and strategic influence in Asia.
The ongoing war may continue to affect consumer and business sentiment in the Asia-Pacific region due to higher energy prices and supply chain disruptions, despite CFOs remaining cautiously optimistic about business prospects.
The NCTA, a cable industry lobby group, is asking the FCC for an expedited waiver on its ban of foreign-made routers. They warn of potential chaos and broadband disruptions for millions of Americans due to supply chain shortages of critical components like memory modules and substrate materials.
Nine US industry trade groups warned the Trump administration that the rapid expansion of AI data centers is consuming a large share of memory chip capacity, driving up prices and straining supplies for other critical industries like automotive and healthcare.
Financier Lex Greensill has been banned from running UK companies for nine years following the 2021 collapse of his supply chain firm. The Insolvency Service cited his unfitness due to breaches of duty causing significant losses to Credit Suisse.
Experts state that a higher price for a T-shirt does not guarantee ethical production, with factors like branding and marketing often inflating costs. While very low prices are a warning sign, some affordable brands offer ethical options.
Japan's Sanae Takaichi plans to visit India to deepen collaboration in defense, economy, and technology, including semiconductors and AI. The high-speed railway project and Japan-China tensions over Taiwan are expected topics.
The European Commission has proposed new regulations, approved by its 27 member states, to reduce dependence on US and Chinese technology, particularly in microchips, AI, and cloud services. The move aims to enhance "tech sovereignty" and mitigate national security risks.
Despite a ceasefire, energy markets face a slow recovery from the Iran war's 100-day impact. Experts predict months, even years, for prices and supply chains to normalize due to shipping risks, infrastructure damage, and depleting global oil buffers.
SAP's Joule AI is transforming retail and supply chains. EssilorLuxottica integrates it with Ray-Ban smart glasses for seamless customer service and inventory management. H&M develops AI agents for in-store operations and customer engagement. Fonterra leverages AI for invoice matching and logistics during its SAP ECC to S/4HANA migration.
New Taipei City's industrial real estate market is evolving due to AI and supply chain shifts. Two industrial zone urban renewal projects in Tucheng and Sanchong have been approved, expected to create jobs and economic value. The demand for new factory buildings is high, with Sanchong leading in renewal applications.
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu hosted Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, discussing potential cooperation in economics and semiconductor supply chains. Vystrčil emphasized the need for continued investment in human resources and resources for bilateral cooperation, citing Taiwan's innovation and courage.
The US Trade Representative (USTR) proposed additional tariffs of 10-12.5% on imports from India and 53 other economies for failing to effectively prohibit goods linked to forced labor. This complicates ongoing trade talks between the US and India.
