Economy — 2,051 insights
Trump-Xi summit live: US president discusses outcomes aboard Air Force One
Economy

Trump-Xi summit live: US president discusses outcomes aboard Air Force One

Takaichi says Trump affirms 'unwavering' Japan alliance in phone call U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he departs Beijing Capital International Airport aboard Air Force One on May 15. © Reuters SHANGHAI/TOKYO -- U.S. President Donald Trump made his first visit to China in nearly nine years, as the rival superpowers sought to stabilize their fraught relationship. The American president arrived Wednesday evening and left on Friday. The visit included plenty of face time with Chinese President Xi Jinping, from formal bilateral talks to a state banquet, tea and lunch. The leaders are understood to have discussed the Iran war, trade, tensions over Taiwan, and artificial intelligence. Trump brought an entourage of corporate executives including Tesla's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook and Nvidia's Jensen Huang. Trump touts 'fantastic trade deals,' Xi stresses 'strategic stability' Xi warns Trump that handling Taiwan issue 'poorly' risks a 'clash' Boeing faces long haul in China as Trump touts expected sale of 200 jets China Inc.'s global growth curbs Trump tariff powers undercut by courts Trump-Xi meeting keeps Taiwan on edge, eyeing subtle US shifts 8:20 p.m.

May 15, 2026
Top Japan banks’ profits hit record on M&A lending boom
Economy

Top Japan banks’ profits hit record on M&A lending boom

Earnings growth expected to continue with BOJ rate hike on the table Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group have each reported record-high net profit for the fiscal year ended March 31. (Source photos by Nikkei) TOKYO -- Net profits at five leading Japanese banking groups hit a third straight annual high in the year ended March 31 as interest income rose on the back of rate hikes.

May 15, 2026
AI-fueled copper rush spurs Amazon to buy direct from US mine
Economy

AI-fueled copper rush spurs Amazon to buy direct from US mine

First new American output in years facilitated by tech from Rio Tinto venture Copper that has been extracted and shaped into smaller disks. (Photo by Kosuke Shimizu) TUCSON, Arizona -- As American tech companies scramble to secure copper for data centers amid the artificial intelligence boom, Amazon.com is going right to the source, taking the unusual step of buying directly from a mine in the southwestern U.S.

May 15, 2026
US startup Axiom Space to set up Japan unit with astronaut at helm
Economy

US startup Axiom Space to set up Japan unit with astronaut at helm

Developer of space stations to work with local firms toward use of low Earth orbit A rendering of the Axiom Station planned by Axiom Space. (Axiom Space) TOKYO -- U.S.-based space startup Axiom Space will set up a local arm in Japan in July to boost collaboration with Japanese companies, aiming to promote commercial use of low Earth orbit.

May 15, 2026
Trump’s Latin American domino play blocks out China
Economy

Trump’s Latin American domino play blocks out China

US pursuit of Western Hemisphere dominance undermines decade-plus of Belt and Road Members of the Venezuelan opposition party participate in the reopening of party headquarters in Caracas. © Reuters MEXICO CITY -- China has been losing ground in Latin America during U.S. President Donald Trump's second stint in office, as the rise of pro-Washington governments threatens the inroads Beijing made over through its Belt and Road Initiative.

May 15, 2026
Japan banks eye Anthropic’s Mythos in gearing up cybersecurity drive
Economy

Japan banks eye Anthropic’s Mythos in gearing up cybersecurity drive

Threat posed by advanced AI to financial systems spurs government-led efforts Anthropic's Mythos is capable of finding holes in cybersecurity systems that are difficult for humans to detect. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) TOKYO -- Japan's big three banks are ramping up cybersecurity efforts in response to financial system risks highlighted by Anthropic's new Claude Mythos AI model.

May 15, 2026
Trump and Xi aim to nail down results in second day of talks
Economy

Trump and Xi aim to nail down results in second day of talks

Nvidia shares up, Boeing down as markets watch closely for deals Chinese President Xi Jinping takes U.S. President Donald Trump on a tour of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on May 14. © Reuters SHANGHAI -- U.S. President Donald Trump is set to have tea and lunch with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the second day of their summit in Beijing, as they look to firm up results from the visit.

May 15, 2026
Modi tours UAE, 4 European nations, with energy security in mind
Economy

Modi tours UAE, 4 European nations, with energy security in mind

PM trip comes as BRICS meeting ends in busy week for Indian leadership Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. © Reuters NEW DELHI -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the UAE and four European nations from Friday, aiming to secure India's energy supplies and cement his position as a world leader during a time of global turmoil.

May 15, 2026
Philippines no longer military ‘weakling’ but buildup has far to go
Economy

Philippines no longer military ‘weakling’ but buildup has far to go

Israeli-built Philippine fast attack interdiction ships drill in the South China Sea in November 2024: The navy is only about a third of the way toward its fleet growth targets. © AP Enhanced navy and air force would still need help to repel Chinese attack QUEZON CITY, Philippines -- Deep inside the sprawling headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) outside Manila, a small group of officials gathered for a low-key ceremony in mid-February to mark Japan's handover of five coastal radar systems.

May 15, 2026
Yen tests post-intervention low as Iran war, US rate uncertainty lift dollar
Economy

Yen tests post-intervention low as Iran war, US rate uncertainty lift dollar

Japanese currency on steady decline after yen-buying operation over holidays The yen has steadily weakened amid growing expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will hold off on interest rate cuts this year. (Photo by Yoshikazu Imahori) TOKYO -- The yen dropped to the 158 range against the dollar Thursday in the New York market, with the Japanese currency hitting its lowest level since the government's yen-buying intervention at the end of last month.

May 15, 2026
Suzuki set to pass Honda as Japan’s No. 2 automaker, driven by India
Economy

Suzuki set to pass Honda as Japan’s No. 2 automaker, driven by India

Indian sales grow, but Suzuki faces pressure from local players and SUV growth Suzuki Motor faces the challenge of expanding its SUV offerings in India to capture more growth. (Photo by Priyanka Agrawal) TOKYO -- Suzuki Motor is on course to become the second-largest Japanese automaker for the first time ever, based on sales volume this fiscal year, with struggling Honda Motor slipping into third place.

May 15, 2026
Solomon Island lawmakers pick China-cautious Matthew Wale as new PM
Economy

Solomon Island lawmakers pick China-cautious Matthew Wale as new PM

Vote comes after previous leader ousted; security deal with Beijing in focus Matthew Wale, the new prime minister of the Solomon Islands, faces challenges including a rising cost of living and managing relations with China and other countries. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Koji Uema and Kyodo) SYDNEY -- The Solomon Islands has elected Matthew Wale, who has called for making public a controversial security deal signed with China in 2022, as prime minister after the country's previous leader was ousted by lawmakers last week.

May 15, 2026