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.

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba visited China last week and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both sides agreed to bolster trade and investment, and strengthen cooperation in environment and infrastructure.

The U.S. government recently sanctioned more Chinese firms for their transactions with Iran and Russia. The Chinese government called the U.S. decisions "typical unilateral sanctions and 'long-arm jurisdiction'."

China's Ministry of Commerce announced yesterday that it would extend the 47.1% anti-dumping duties it has been imposing on Japanese chemicals for another five years.

Last week, the Ukraine government designated Chinese phone company Xiaomi as an "international war sponsor". Xiaomi expressed its strong objection in response, as the listing may hurt Xiaomi's international image and financial position.

In February, China's Ministry of Commerce sanctioned two U.S. firms, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Raytheon Missiles and Defense, for their arms sales to Taiwan. Today the agency offered more specifics on the sanctions and the sanctioned executives.