Economy — 2,051 insights
Trump-Xi summit live: US hopes for ‘positive response’ on Jimmy Lai, Rubio says
Economy

Trump-Xi summit live: US hopes for ‘positive response’ on Jimmy Lai, Rubio says

Xi promises not to give Iran arms, Trump says; Chinese leader invited to White House Media tycoon Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, leaves the Court of Final Appeal by prison van in Hong Kong in February 2021. © Reuters SHANGHAI/TOKYO -- U.S. President Donald Trump is making his first visit to China in nearly nine years, as the rival superpowers aim to stabilize their fraught relationship. The American president arrived Wednesday evening and is scheduled to stay until Friday. The itinerary includes plenty of face time with Chinese President Xi Jinping, from formal bilateral talks to a state banquet, tea and lunch. The leaders have much to discuss: the Iran war, trade and export controls, tensions over Taiwan, and artificial intelligence. Trump has brought an entourage of corporate executives including Tesla's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook and Nvidia's Jensen Huang. There are high expectations that the president will help seal commercial deals for aircraft and U.S. farm goods.

May 15, 2026
How a year of China’s rare-earth controls is reshaping supply chains
Economy

How a year of China’s rare-earth controls is reshaping supply chains

Users adapt as further supply uncertainty hinges on Xi-Trump summit outcome Beijing imposed export controls on seven rare-earth elements in April 2025 as a trade war with Washington intensified. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters) CANBERRA -- China's exports of rare earths and related permanent magnets fell in the year since Beijing introduced export controls covering some of the materials, a Nikkei Asia analysis has found, and global manufacturers are facing the prospect of further disruption if a highly anticipated summit with the U.S. does not yield a breakthrough on the issue.

May 15, 2026
Infosys’ founder Murthy hunts for Indian manufacturing investments
Economy

Infosys’ founder Murthy hunts for Indian manufacturing investments

Family office's president says it is scouting for firms that have 'globally competitive' products Founder of Infosys Narayana Murthy speaks at IIM Bangalore in Bengaluru, India, on Jan. 30. BENGALURU -- Narayana Murthy, founder of India's second-largest software exporter Infosys, is eyeing a slice of India's manufacturing pie after mostly backing service companies for more than a decade, as New Delhi pushes to build factories to rival China's prowess.

May 14, 2026
China carmakers get most subsidies; US-sanctioned oil refiner also benefits
Economy

China carmakers get most subsidies; US-sanctioned oil refiner also benefits

State support shrinks as local governments face fiscal pressure The Ora 5 from Great Wall Motor is displayed at the Beijing auto show on April 24. The company, which topped the list of state subsidy recipients last year, is increasingly pushing exports. © Reuters TOKYO -- Two leading Chinese automakers took in the largest amount of government subsidies among all listed companies in the country last year, while a "teapot" oil refiner recently sanctioned by the U.S. over alleged links to Iran emerged as another major recipient.

May 14, 2026
India’s nascent semiconductor sector faces China’s push in older chips
Economy

India’s nascent semiconductor sector faces China’s push in older chips

Countries likely to compete in mature-node chips as Chinese will account for half of global capacity A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips. © Reuters BENGALURU -- Ahead of India's first semiconductor fabrication plant coming online later this year, serious concerns have been raised by tech experts as China rapidly expands production capacity of mature-node chips -- the very segment New Delhi is betting on to build a domestic semiconductor ecosystem, with the new entrant set to face an uphill battle.

May 14, 2026
Japan’s Eneos to buy Chevron Southeast Asia fuel business for $2.17bn
Economy

Japan’s Eneos to buy Chevron Southeast Asia fuel business for $2.17bn

Japanese energy company Eneos said on May 14 that it will buy U.S. oil company Chevron's fuel products business in several Southeast Asian countries and Australia for $2.17 billion. (Photos by Mao Kawano and Yuji Ohira) TOKYO -- Eneos Holdings announced Thursday that it will buy U.S. oil major Chevron's petroleum product marketing businesses in Southeast Asia and Australia for $2.17 billion. The Japanese energy company will acquire fuel product operations in six countries, including Singapore, as it seeks to tap into fast-growing markets.

May 14, 2026
Foxconn expects Q2 to beat slow season, war uncertainty thanks to AI boom
Economy

Foxconn expects Q2 to beat slow season, war uncertainty thanks to AI boom

Key Nvidia supplier says market share in next-generation AI servers will continue to expand Foxconn’s AI server rack segment is expected to see high double-digit growth for the current quarter. © Reuters TAIPEI -- Key Nvidia and Apple supplier Foxconn expects its performance in the April quarter to significantly outperform what is traditionally a slow season for the tech supplier, thanks to continuing demand for AI servers and stronger-than-expected sales of computing products.

May 14, 2026
Japan long-term bond yields surge past 2.6% as inflation runs hot
Economy

Japan long-term bond yields surge past 2.6% as inflation runs hot

Energy prices push up yields globally; BOJ member shows readiness for rate hike The yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds rose 1.5 basis points to touch 2.605%, the highest level since May 1997. (Photo by Nanami Sato) TOKYO -- Japanese government bond yields are continuing to rise as inflation worries intensify due to the protracted Iran war and higher oil prices.

May 14, 2026
War disruption grows and data centers go to space
Economy

War disruption grows and data centers go to space

The inside story on the Asia tech trends that matter, from Nikkei Asia and the Financial Times Hello, this is Kenji, presenting this edition of #techAsia from Tokyo after our short Golden Week holiday break. Corporate earnings season is hitting its peak this week, as most companies in Japan close their financial years at the end of March, and the Tokyo Stock Exchange demands that listed enterprises disclose their results within 45 days. This means thousands of them will be announcing their earnings up to the deadline on Friday. SoftBank Group surprised a lot of us -- including myself, who used to cover the company over a decade ago -- on Wednesday when it reported a full-year net profit of 5 trillion yen ($31.6 billion), quadrupling from a year earlier. The surge is mainly on paper, driven by gains from its tech-focused Vision Funds, which booked an annual investment profit of 6.99 trillion yen, 16 times higher than the year before. But this result reflects the higher valuations of tech companies in general, including ChatGPT developer OpenAI, on which SoftBank is betting heavily. Investors are now waiting for memory chip maker Kioxia to release its annual results after the market closes on Friday.

May 14, 2026
Honda scales back aggressive EV push, overhauling fundamental strategy
Economy

Honda scales back aggressive EV push, overhauling fundamental strategy

Company aims to rebound to net profit in FY26 despite massive EV-related losses Honda Motor has been forced to scale back its aggressive EV strategy, set in 2021 under President Toshihiro Mibe's leadership, due to a changing business environment. © Getty Images TOKYO -- Honda Motor said on Thursday that it expects net profit of 260 billion yen ($1.65 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 2027, aiming to return to the black despite ongoing challenges, while announcing its first net loss since listing for the previous year due to electric vehicle-related losses.

May 14, 2026
Singapore Airlines expects ‘full impact’ of fuel cost in fiscal 2026-27
Economy

Singapore Airlines expects ‘full impact’ of fuel cost in fiscal 2026-27

Thai Airways' Q1 profit up 3%, says it will shift focus to low-risk markets Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines are among Southeast Asia's biggest carriers, all of which must are contend with a doubling in the cost of jet fuel this year because of the war in Iran. (Photos by Ken Kobayashi) SINGAPORE/BANGKOK -- Singapore Airlines said on Thursday that the financial impact of higher fuel prices will be reflected in the current fiscal year ending March 2027, and that adjusting air fares alone will not fully offset the rising costs.

May 14, 2026
Xi warns Trump that handling Taiwan issue ‘poorly’ risks a ‘clash’
Economy

Xi warns Trump that handling Taiwan issue ‘poorly’ risks a ‘clash’

Leaders discuss Chinese investment in US, purchases of American oil: White House U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as the two begin a bilateral meeting in Beijing on May 14. © Reuters SHANGHAI -- Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a warning about Taiwan to U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing on Thursday, as the leaders kicked off two days of meetings and festivities aimed at showcasing the stability of the rival powers' relationship.

May 14, 2026