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.

The Chinese antitrust agency is now conducting an anti-monopoly review on an Egyptian joint venture in which Chinese shipping company COSCO has a share.

As a follow up to the Macron-Xi meeting earlier this month, the Chinese government recently started the domestic process of allowing more French food imports, and moved ahead with the regulatory process for two French GI applications.

During a recent press conference, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Commerce Wang Shouwen, after highlighting the benefits of China being part of the CPTPP, expressed hope that all members would support China's accession and stated that "China is capable of fulfilling its obligations under

China's tariff commission announced today that starting on May 1, 60 types of goods from Nicaragua will be tariff free. This is part of an early agreement reached between the two governments, as a precursor of a more comprehensive trade agreement for which the negotiations are ongoing.

Chinese electric car giant BYD is investing US$290 million to build a lithium cathode factory in Chile, after securing raw materials at a discount from local suppliers.