According to a Chinese industry report, the Chinese government provided a total of 12.1 billion yuan (US$1.75 billion) to 190 domestically listed firms in the semiconductor supply chain, with over 40% going to ten companies. In the meantime, these companies are also spending a lot on R&

Chinese battery company Putailai New Energy Technology (PTL) announced that it will build a facility in Sweden to be part of the battery production supply chain in the region.

Without providing further details, top trade officials in the United States and Taiwan both put a positive spin on the ongoing trade negotiations that were launched last summer. A Taiwanese official indicated that the trade talks are at the tail-end of the first phase of negotiations.

During a visit to Myanmar this week, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang agreed with his counterpart to deepen cooperation in trade, agriculture and other economic development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) so as to promote the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Last month, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) concluded its expiry review of anti-dumping measures on optical fiber from the United States and the European Union, and decided to maintain the anti-dumping duties of up to 78.2%.

Multiple Chinese trade and industry associations expressed their opposition to new Japanese export control rules over the weekend, calling them "discriminatory" and a violation of WTO rules.

Argentine Economy Minister Sergio Massa announced last week that Argentina agreed to make payments for Chinese imports in Yuan rather than U.S. dollars, in an effort to maintain its reserves of U.S. dollars.