TOKYO: While U.S. President Donald Trump appears to wage a trade "Cold War" on China, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will promote a thaw with Beijing at a summit this month where business ties will be in the spotlight.A tough line on China helped Abe to regain office in 2012 during a row over tiny East China Sea isles that put ties in a deep chill. Now, Abe hopes to build on a rapprochement welcomed by Beijing, which is locked in an escalating trade war with Washington.Japan shares U.S. concerns about Beijing's maritime assertiveness and is extending its military reach to counter China. Japanese firms worry also about Chinese violations of intellectual property rights and technology theft.Still, business ties with China, the world's second largest economy, are vital for Japan."To ensure that Japan has sustainable economic growth, you cannot ignore economic relations with China," said a Japanese foreign ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.Abe has met Chinese … [Read more...] about Analysis: Japan’s Abe pursues China thaw as U.S-Beijing ties in deep freeze
China u s relations
To counter China, U.S. looks to invest billions more overseas
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By Josh Zumbrun The Wall Street Journal Siobhan Hughes Sat., Sept. 1, 2018 The U.S. is finalizing plans to double funding for big infrastructure projects around the world, seeking to counter China’s growing influence. Congress is working to resolve the last barriers to passing a bill that would boost the U.S.’s role in international development. It would combine several little-known government agencies into a new body, with authority to do $60 billion (U.S.) in development financing—more than double the cap of the current agency that performs that function. The measure, supported by the Trump administration, easily passed the House this summer; it faces its biggest test in the Senate. The new agency would have broad authority to go toe-to-toe with China in offering countries financing options for major infrastructure and development projects. The bill’s momentum reflects growing bipartisan concern in Washington about the scale of … [Read more...] about To counter China, U.S. looks to invest billions more overseas
Castro bows out in Cuba but Cold War chill returns with U.S
HAVANA: Raul Castro has stepped down as president and his brother Fidel is dead but U.S. relations with Cuba are frostier than in years, with their reopened embassies nearly empty and President Donald Trump hinting at measures that could further lower the temperature.A new Cuban president, 58-year-old Miguel Diaz-Canel, took office on Thursday after decades of rule by the Castros since they toppled a U.S.-backed dictator in 1959, nationalizing U.S. properties, allying with the Soviet Union and sending thousands of Cubans into exile in Florida.The Castros were personally reviled by at least the older generation of Cuban-Americans, and some political analysts believe Diaz-Canel's ascent to power will make it easier over time for U.S. politicians to normalize relations.In the short term, though, the path ahead looks rocky.In his first speech as president, Diaz-Canel, a stalwart of the ruling Communist Party, clearly stated he intends to preserve the one-party socialist system. Moreover, … [Read more...] about Castro bows out in Cuba but Cold War chill returns with U.S
Trade war will push gold to $1,400, Sprott U.S. Holdings exec predicts
By Ranjeetha Pakiam Bloomberg Tues., April 3, 2018 SINGAPORE—Gold will surge to the highest level in five years if a global trade war breaks out, according to Rick Rule, chief executive officer of Sprott U.S. Holdings Inc., who’s been involved in the market for four decades. Bullion could top $1,400 (U.S.) an ounce in 2018 as escalating trade tensions drive investors to havens and the three-decade bull market in bonds nears an end, said Rule, who’s due to speak at a conference in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Spot gold traded at $1,340 on Tuesday after three straight quarters of gains, while exchange-traded fund holdings are around the highest in half a decade. U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered import tariffs on steel and aluminum and sought new restrictions on Chinese investment. Asia’s top economy retaliated by imposing its own levies on Monday, while the U.S. is expected to release this week a new list of Chinese products to be slapped with … [Read more...] about Trade war will push gold to $1,400, Sprott U.S. Holdings exec predicts
U.S. allies react with bewilderment to Trump’s steel tariffs
By Anna Fifield The Washington Post Michael Birnbaum Fri., March 9, 2018 TOKYO—No world leader has tried harder to get on President Donald Trump’s good side than Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Whether racing to New York the day after the 2016 election and presenting Trump with a $3,755 gold-plated golf driver, or taking him out on the golf course and serving hamburgers for lunch, Abe has cultivated a close personal relationship with his American counterpart. And on a policy front, Abe has been an enthusiastic supporter of almost everything Trump has said, especially when it comes to putting “maximum pressure” on North Korea. But now, Japan, which is not just led by a friendly politician but is a key security ally of the United States, looks likely to be slapped with tariffs on its steel exports to the United States. And to add insult to injury, the reason, Trump says, is rooted in national security. “The U.S. is suddenly … [Read more...] about U.S. allies react with bewilderment to Trump’s steel tariffs