Donald Trump announced Apple will partner with Intel to design and manufacture chips in the US, aiming to rebuild the nation's semiconductor industry. The deal, revealed on Truth Social, is presented as a move to bring manufacturing back from overseas and diversify supply chains.
China's CNPC calls for strengthened maritime security and emergency response capabilities, citing the fragility of global chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Disruptions have driven up prices and inflation, with US inflation reaching 4.2% in May.
Senator Rick Scott highlighted China's control over US supply chains, particularly in pharmaceuticals, during a Senate hearing. He warned of the risks to older Americans' health, finances, and security due to this dependence.
G7 leaders agreed to boost cooperation on critical minerals, aiming to reduce dependence on China. Plans include coordinated stockpiling, increased recycling, and a new platform with IEA support to secure supplies for defense, AI, EVs, and renewables.
Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf stated that modern warfare's focus has shifted to economic disruption, targeting infrastructure like data centers and refineries. He noted the rise of drone technology and supply chain vulnerabilities as key concerns, particularly for the US due to its ties with China. Schimpf also commented on the defense tech sector's high valuations, suggesting a potential bubble.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged enhanced international cooperation to bolster energy supply chain resilience at an expanded G7 summit session in Evian-les-Bains, France. He highlighted vulnerabilities in the Asia-Pacific region and pledged support for the International Energy Agency.
Protesters will target Hyundai at a World Cup rally in Guadalajara, criticizing its business ties with mining company Ternium, accused of environmental damage and links to activist disappearances. The rally coincides with a Mexico-South Korea game.
China's stance towards the West has evolved from a nascent rejection in 1996 to possessing significant strategic leverage, evident in its forceful countermeasures against Western claims and sanctions, and a shift in Western leaders visiting Beijing.
India can benefit from global supply chain realignments by maintaining strategic neutrality, focusing on domestic production, and building robust economic buffers. The nation must implement targeted industrial policies to capture opportunities in sectors like AI, data centers, defense, and energy security, leveraging international cooperation to navigate multipolar transitions.
The price of base oil for synthetic motor oil has tripled due to the war in Iran and disruptions in the Middle East. Supply chain issues, including damage to a key Qatari plant and prioritization of diesel fuel, are leading to higher prices and potential shortages for consumers.
Japan's new minister, Sanae Takaichi, will attend a G7 meeting in Europe to discuss urgent issues and demonstrate unity. She aims to express Japan's position and efforts from the Indo-Pacific region's perspective. Takaichi has maintained positive relations with G7 nations and seeks deeper cooperation.
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.
