分类： business

China has emerged as the undisputed leader in the global rare earths race, a position that is reshaping international trade, technology, and investment landscapes. While the United States intensifies efforts to reduce its reliance on Beijing—evidenced by a recent critical minerals agreement with Australia—the reality is that China’s control over these essential materials is only strengthening. Rare earths, vital for smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems, are the backbone of the digital and green economies. Without them, modern industries would grind to a halt. China’s dominance spans the entire supply chain, from mining to refining and manufacturing, controlling 70% of global mining output and nearly 90% of processing capacity. Despite Washington’s aggressive measures, including billions in investments and eased environmental regulations, China’s structural lead remains insurmountable. Beijing’s recent export controls on rare earths further tighten its grip, requiring government approval for shipments of magnets or alloys containing even trace amounts of these materials. This strategic control allows China to influence global markets and shape geopolitical strategies. The U.S. faces significant challenges in catching up, as its efforts remain fragmented and politically cyclical. Meanwhile, China’s vertical integration between resource extraction and manufacturing provides unmatched cost and speed advantages. The global reorganization of mineral trade is driving a new industrial cycle, with capital flowing into exploration, refining, and alternative materials research. However, China’s expansion into Africa and Latin America ensures its long-term dominance. As the world enters this new era of resource competition, China’s foresight and strategic investments have positioned it firmly in the lead, leaving other nations scrambling to reduce their dependence.

A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlights the severe economic repercussions of recent US tariff policies on Southeast Asian nations, particularly Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. These export-driven economies are projected to face significant declines in their US-bound exports, with Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand expected to see contractions of 23.9 percent, 19.2 percent, and 12.7 percent, respectively.

Tokyo’s stock market has surged following the election of Sanae Takaichi as Japan’s first female prime minister, with investors optimistic about her commitment to market-friendly policies. The Nikkei 225 index rose 0.7% to 49,517.57, nearing the symbolic 50,000 mark. Takaichi, a conservative lawmaker and heavy metal enthusiast, secured 237 votes in a parliamentary ballot, surpassing the 233 required for victory. Her policy framework, dubbed ‘Sanaenomics,’ is expected to emphasize increased defense spending and sustained low interest rates, despite concerns over inflation and a weak yen. Takaichi has vowed to address rising consumer prices, which have exceeded the Bank of Japan’s 2% target, reaching 2.5% to 3%. However, her opposition to raising interest rates could complicate efforts to curb inflation and strengthen the yen. Wage stagnation remains a pressing issue, with current levels only recently surpassing 1997 averages. Takaichi also faces the challenge of Japan’s shrinking and aging population, which has led to labor shortages and hindered economic growth. She has proposed tax incentives for companies offering childcare and hinted at family-friendly tax breaks. Takaichi’s policies are expected to mirror those of her late mentor, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, including boosting government spending and strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities. Her political rise has already spurred investment in military-related firms. While Takaichi seeks to maintain cordial relations with the U.S., her tenure will likely be fraught with challenges, including resistance to reforms and the need for cross-party support in a fragmented parliament.

Asian markets experienced a notable uptick on Tuesday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index nearing the symbolic 50,000 mark for the first time. This surge coincided with the historic appointment of Sanae Takaichi as Japan’s first female prime minister, following a parliamentary vote. Takaichi, known for her conservative stance, is anticipated to advocate for market-friendly policies, including sustained low interest rates and increased government expenditure. The U.S. dollar strengthened against the Japanese yen, rising to 151.31 yen from 150.75 yen, as Takaichi’s potential influence on the Bank of Japan’s interest rate decisions could maintain the yen’s relative weakness, complicating inflation control efforts. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite indices rose by 1.2% and 1.3%, respectively, reflecting broader regional optimism. In South Korea, the Kospi edged up 0.2%, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.7%. Taiwan’s Taiex also saw a modest 0.2% increase. The positive sentiment was further bolstered by expectations of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at an upcoming regional summit, which could ease trade tensions between the two economic giants. In the U.S., stocks rallied on Monday, with the S&P 500 nearing its all-time high, driven by strong performances from companies like Apple and Cleveland-Cliffs. Apple’s stock surged 3.9% amid optimism over its latest iPhone design, while Cleveland-Cliffs jumped 21.5% following CEO Lourenco Goncalves’ announcement of potential rare earth discoveries and a major global steel deal. Despite a widespread outage of Amazon’s cloud computing service, its stock rose 1.6%. Corporate earnings reports this week, including those from Coca-Cola, Tesla, and Procter & Gamble, are under scrutiny as investors assess whether profitability can sustain the S&P 500’s 35% rally since April. The Federal Reserve faces challenges in balancing inflation concerns with a slowing job market, with potential rate cuts on the horizon. U.S. benchmark crude oil prices rose slightly, with Brent crude also gaining 4 cents, while the euro dipped slightly against the dollar.

Dubai has further cemented its position as the premier financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) surpassing 8,000 active registered companies. This milestone includes over 1,000 entities regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), showcasing the Centre’s robust growth and influence. The DIFC’s banking assets have also surged to approximately $240 billion, marking a 200% increase since 2015. This achievement aligns with Dubai’s rise to 11th place in the Global Financial Centre Index, reinforcing its reputation as a top global FinTech hub and the region’s most credible financial centre. Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, emphasized the Centre’s pivotal role in advancing Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33), stating, ‘DIFC’s success sets the benchmark for emerging financial centres, offering a business environment rooted in innovation, integrity, and global standards.’ Since its inception in 2004, the DIFC has attracted global financial institutions, innovators, and professional services firms, supported by its unique ecosystem of legal and regulatory certainty. Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, highlighted the Centre’s diversity and scale, noting, ‘Exceeding 8,000 registered companies underscores DIFC’s unmatched position in the region, enabling us to shape the global financial services landscape and drive Dubai’s emergence as a technology innovation hub.’ The DFSA’s evolving regulatory framework, grounded in common law and benchmarked against global standards, continues to draw financial institutions seeking growth and connectivity. Mark Steward, Chief Executive of DFSA, remarked, ‘With over 1,000 regulated entities, DIFC is the region’s premier financial centre, connecting firms with global capital and growth opportunities.’ The DIFC Courts also reported significant activity, with over AED 17.5 billion in total claim values filed this year, reflecting growing trust in its legal framework. As Dubai expands its global influence, the DIFC remains central to its vision for the future of finance, combining scale, innovation, and regulatory excellence to support sustainable economic growth across the region and beyond.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has solidified its position as a global frontrunner in financial inclusion, driven by a robust digital transformation and strategic policy initiatives. According to the 2025 Global Financial Inclusion Index (GFII), the UAE achieved the most significant global improvement in the ‘financial-system support’ pillar, climbing five places with a 1.9-point score increase. This progress underscores the nation’s commitment to fostering a digitally inclusive financial ecosystem. The UAE also saw a remarkable leap in fintech development, rising seven spots to 14th globally, with over 320 fintech firms collectively valued at more than $3 billion. These advancements are bolstered by the UAE’s Digital Economy Strategy 2022, which has catalyzed innovation and accessibility in financial services. Access to capital surged by 16.6 points, reflecting strong momentum in SME growth and private-sector confidence. Additionally, the UAE ranks 4th globally in consumer protection, up 6.9 points, and 6th in government-provided financial education. The World Bank reports that 84.56% of UAE adults had formal financial accounts in 2021, well above the global average of 66%. The UAE Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) have jointly launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy and National Financial Literacy Strategy, following a May 2025 policy forum in Abu Dhabi. Kamal Bhatia, President & CEO of Principal Asset Management, emphasized that the UAE’s progress transcends digital access, empowering individuals and businesses to build stronger financial futures. Pushpin Singh, Managing Economist at Cebr, highlighted the UAE’s real economic benefits, with access-to-capital scores jumping 16.6 points. Despite these strides, challenges remain, including ensuring meaningful economic participation among lower-income households and women. The UAE’s financial inclusion journey has evolved from ‘banking the unbanked’ to leveraging digital fintech platforms, regulatory frameworks, and literacy programmes to build a resilient, diversified, and inclusive economy.