标签： Asia

India’s exports to the United States experienced a significant rebound in October, rising to $6.3 billion, a 14.5% increase from September’s $5.5 billion. This marks the first uptick in five months, despite the continued imposition of steep tariffs by the Trump administration, including a 25% penalty on Indian purchases of Russian oil. The resurgence in trade comes as Indian state-run oil companies agreed to import more liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the US, and the Trump administration exempted several agricultural products from reciprocal tariffs, benefiting Indian exporters. Trade negotiations between the two nations are progressing, with key aspects of the deal nearing closure, according to an Indian official. However, India’s overall goods exports fell by 11.8% year-on-year in October, with 15 of its top 20 markets witnessing declines. Analysts suggest that tariff-exempt sectors like smartphones and pharmaceuticals may have contributed to the improved performance. Despite the October rebound, India’s exports to the US have dropped by 28.4% between May and October, erasing over $2.5 billion in monthly export value. Trade tensions appear to be easing, with India finalizing a major deal to source 10% of its annual LPG needs from the US. The Trump administration has been pushing India to reduce its reliance on Russian oil, which has become a significant market for India amid Western sanctions. While India has not officially confirmed plans to cut Russian oil imports, trade talks are advancing rapidly. Additionally, the US’s decision to roll back reciprocal tariffs on certain agricultural products is expected to benefit India’s exports by exempting approximately $1 billion worth of goods from duties.

In a surprising revelation, a new report by AidData, a research lab at the College of William & Mary, has uncovered that the United States is the largest beneficiary of loans from Chinese state banks, despite Washington’s longstanding warnings against such financial ties. Over the past 25 years, China’s state lenders have channeled approximately $200 billion into U.S. businesses, often through opaque routes involving shell companies in jurisdictions like the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and Delaware. This secrecy has obscured the origins of the funds, raising alarms about the implications for U.S. national security and critical technologies. Much of the lending has facilitated Chinese companies in acquiring stakes in U.S. firms tied to robotics, semiconductors, and biotechnology—sectors vital to both economic and military strength. The report highlights a sophisticated and far-reaching lending network that extends beyond developing nations to wealthy countries, including the U.K., Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands. Former White House investment adviser William Henagan described the situation as a strategic game where China has gained a significant advantage, stating, ‘Wars will be won or lost based on whether you can control products critical to running an economy.’ The U.S. has historically welcomed foreign investment, but Chinese financing has drawn heightened scrutiny due to its alignment with Beijing’s strategic goals. The AidData report found that China has lent over $2 trillion globally since 2000, with a significant portion targeting critical minerals and high-tech assets in advanced economies. The lack of transparency in these transactions, often masked by Western-sounding shell companies and confidentiality agreements, has made it challenging to fully assess the extent of China’s influence. While U.S. screening mechanisms, such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., have been strengthened in recent years, China has adapted by establishing over 100 overseas banks and branches to further obscure its financial activities. The report underscores a shift in China’s use of state credit from promoting economic development to securing geo-economic advantages, raising global concerns about its intentions to control critical economic and technological sectors.

Asian stock markets experienced significant declines on Tuesday, with major indices in Tokyo and Seoul plummeting over 3%, mirroring a broader sell-off in U.S. markets driven by artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks. The downturn was fueled by concerns over inflated valuations of tech companies, particularly Nvidia, which is set to release its earnings report on Wednesday. U.S. futures also dipped, with the S&P 500 contract down 0.6% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures falling 0.4%.