Welcome to the 241st edition of Trade War.
A notice: Trade War will go on a short winter break returning on January 12th (there will be no issues on December 29th or on January 5th.) Have a great holiday and see you in 2025!
But first on to the news ~
In a measure of how serious China’s plans are to export its electric vehicles to the world, Beijing is targeting knowledge about the EV industry when choosing overseas embassy staff. And Chinese manufacturing companies, including those in the new energy and battery sectors, are flooding Mexico.
China’s oil consumption is expected to reach its peak by 2027, says the country’s top refiner. Trump warns the EU it will face retaliation if it doesn’t buy more American oil and gas. And the president-elect’s tariff threats have two key objectives.
Chinese bankers are suffering from lower pay and fear running afoul of regulators, as the economy slows. Chief economists are muzzled by Beijing. And China moves to control the grassroots as economic grievances drive social unrest and violence.
Notable/In depth ~
China has a market access problem while its economy is “limping along,” says former longtime Beijing-based businessman Joerg Wuttke
Albania bans TikTok for one year for encouraging bullying among children
China’s Sputnik moment prompted by Donald Trump
EV ambassadors sought as Beijing pushes abroad
In a measure of how serious China’s plans are to export its electric vehicles to the world, Beijing is targeting knowledge about the EV sector, when choosing its science and technology counselors for overseas embassy postings.
Hundreds of candidates from government agencies and state research institutes took the exam seeking a position as a counselor, reports the South China Morning Post, citing a knowledgable source.
Most candidates were also fluent English-speakers and all were tested to ensure they had a high level of knowledge of Communist Party ideology.
China manufacturers move into Mexico
Chinese manufacturing companies, including those in the EV and battery sectors, are flooding Mexico, in part attracted by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the free trade grouping.
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