EDITORIAL: Probe highlights China trade risksChina last week said that it was investigating what it called Taiwan’s “trade barriers,” which supposedly affect more than 2,400 Chinese imports spanning from agricultural products and textiles to minerals and petrochemicals. Because the probe could last until Jan. 12 next year — one day before Taiwan’s presidential election — there are concerns that China might use the trade barriers issue for political leverage. Any government regulations or policies that hinder international trade — such as tariffs, subsidies, quotas, and import and export licenses — could be considered trade barriers. Because Beijing’s suspensions of Taiwanese goods are often arbitrary and abrupt, Taiwanese businesses should consider the grave risks of maintaining China as a major export market. As it would take time for businesses to develop new foreign markets, the government should establish a task force to address China’s trade barriers investigation and offer guidance to domestic industries.

Oil posts its fourth weekly gain, as IEA forecasts price riseBloombergOil on Friday rose for the fourth straight week, supported by signs of a tightening global market that have the International Energy Agency (IEA) warning of higher prices ahead. West Texas Intermediate for May delivery rose 0.44 percent to close at US$82.52 per barrel, rising 2.25 percent weekly to post its longest run of weekly advances since June last year. Brent crude for May delivery increased 0.26 percent to US$86.31 per barrel, gaining 1.4 percent for the week. The latest OPEC+ cuts threaten to boost oil prices for consumers already facing high inflation, the IEA said in its monthly outlook on Friday. Recent data show that China imported the most oil in three years last month, underpinned by record Russian flows.

China’s dubious population dataBy Yi Fuxian 易富賢At a recent news conference, Chinese Premier Li Qiang (李強) said that the country’s demographic dividend has not disappeared, even though the population is declining. For 2000, the bureau reported that there were 17.7 million births — a figure that aligns perfectly with the 17.5 million first graders in 2006. There are several reasons that Chinese demographic data are unreliable. For starters, China’s local governments have a strong incentive to inflate population figures. It could also compound China’s demographic woes by reducing fertility.

Europe ramps up stance on ChinaReuters, BEIJINGEuropean foreign policy officials yesterday sought to present a tough stance against China’s threats against Taiwan, after comments by French President Emmanuel Macron drew a backlash for being perceived as weak. German Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock, addressing the issue at a news conference in Beijing alongside Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang (秦剛), said any attempt by China to control Taiwan would be unacceptable and would have serious repercussions for Europe. German Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock speaks at a joint news conference with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang in Beijing yesterday. “The European Union’s position [on Taiwan] is consistent and clear,” Borrell said in his prepared remarks. “President Xi’s visit to Moscow has demonstrated that no other country has a bigger influence on Russia than China,” Baerbock said.

Apple ‘at heart of’ US-China selective decoupling‘ALL BETS ARE OFF’: The US is not aiming for a total decoupling, US Representative Mike Gallagher said, but added that things would change if China attacked Taiwan Apple Inc and Walt Disney Co are among US businesses that would face the steepest challenges in a “selective decoupling” from China, a key US lawmaker said after a series of meetings with executives and experts in Hollywood and Silicon Valley last week. US Representative Mike Gallagher, the chairman of a US House of Representatives committee focused on US-China competition, met with Apple CEO Tim Cook and Disney CEO Bob Iger as part of a three-day trip through California to learn more about how companies are navigating the tensions between the world’s two largest economies. “Apple’s at the heart of what is

Coffee-powered Bopanna becomes oldest Masters champReutersCoffee connoisseur Rohan Bopanna on Saturday credited the special Indian blends he consumes on Tour for his success after the 43-year-old became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion by winning the men’s doubles title at the BNP Paribas Open. The biggest thing is to make sure you recover well after matches and that’s really helped me,” Bopanna said. Bopanna beat the record held by former partner Daniel Nestor and said that taking care of his body had paid off. Some days I tell Matt I maybe just practiced 20 minutes, but I’d rather rest the body and be ready for our matches,” Bopanna said. Indian doubles great Mahesh Bhupathi hailed former playing partner Bopanna’s longevity and ability to peak late in his career.

‘Suicide drone’ to be tested in July for potential useStaff writer, with CNAA domestically developed “suicide drone,” also known as a loitering munition, would be tested and evaluated in July, and could enter mass production next year, Taiwan’s weapons developer said on Wednesday. The yet-to-be-named drone was among nine drone models unveiled by the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) on Tuesday. The drone has been dubbed the “Taiwanese switchblade” by Chinese-language media, due to its similarity to the US-made AeroVironment Switchblade 300, which has been used by Ukraine in counterattacks during Russia’s invasion. A domestically developed loitering munition, or “suicide drone,” similar to the US-made AeroVironment Switchblade 300, is pictured at the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology on Tuesday. A manufacturing project and a program to train drone pilots are being planned by the navy, Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-chen (邱國正) said.

‘Tip fatigue’ in US raises questions about practiceBy Lea Dauple / AFP, WASHINGTONTo tip, or not to tip? “Either way, you feel guilty,” said Matt Schottland, 41, in downtown Washington, a salad and a fruit juice in hand. A card reader displays tip options at a store in Washington on Friday. In response, experts warn of the risk of “tip fatigue,” a scenario in which Americans, overworked and hit by inflation, would no longer know where to tip, or how much. As a result, “trying to figure out like, when to tip, when not to tip, what is the appropriate tip, is it like always 20 percent now?

Bankers urge Silicon Valley Bank buyoutDOMINO EFFECT FEARED: The collapse of start-up-focused SVB could affect its regional peers, some executives said, calling on financial authorities to protect unisured deposits Some financial industry executives and investors were on Saturday growing increasingly concerned that the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) could have a domino effect on other US regional banks if regulators did not find a buyer over the weekend to protect uninsured deposits. Start-up-focused lender SVB Financial Group on Friday became the largest bank to fail since the 2008 global financial crisis, roiling markets and leaving billions of US dollars belonging to companies and investors stranded. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC), which was appointed receiver, was trying to find another bank over the weekend that was willing to merge with

Tai Tzu-ying reaches quarter-finalsLAST ONE STANDING: The world No. Malaysia’s Ng Tze Yong returns to Viktor Axelsen of Denmark at the All England Open at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Thursday. After a 2-2 tie early in the second, Tai kept her opponent at bay, leading 12-10 before marching away. Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying returns to Kim Ga-eun of South Korea at the All England Open at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Wednesday. Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying returns to Kim Ga-eun of South Korea at the All England Open at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Wednesday.

Samsung’s Texas plant cost rises above US$25bnReuters, WASHINGTON, SAN FRANCISCO and SEOULA chip plant that South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co is building in Taylor, Texas, would cost the world’s biggest memorychip maker more than US$25 billion, up more than US$8 billion from initial forecasts, three people familiar with the matter said. “The higher construction cost is about 80 percent of the cost increase,” one of the sources said. Photo: Reuters“The newly estimated cost could go up even more if the construction of the Taylor plant gets delayed,” a second source said, adding that the estimate could be fluid. “The later the plant is completed, the higher cost we would be looking at,” they said. 2 contract chip manufacturer, announced its Taylor plant in 2021.

Foxconn secures AirPod order, plans new factory in IndiaStaff writer, with ReutersTaiwanese contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密), also known as Foxconn Technology Group (富士康科技集團) internationally, has won an order to make AirPods for Apple Inc and plans to build a factory in India to produce the wireless earphones, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said. A person walks past a Foxconn logo outside a company office in New Taipei City on Dec. 22 last year. Photo: REUTERSHon Hai would invest more than US$200 million in the new India AirPod plant in the southern state of Telangana, one source said, requesting anonymity as the matter is not public. The decision to set up production in India was requested by Apple, the source said. The subsidiary would make AirPods in India, a second source said, without providing further details.

US dollar retreats for biggest weekly loss since JanuaryReuters, NEW YORKThe US dollar on Friday slid from a two-and-a-half-month high versus the yen, for its largest weekly loss since mid-January against a basket of six major currencies, as traders stepped back to gauge the path for Federal Reserve policy. The index slid 0.65 percent for the week, its biggest percentage fall since the week of Jan. 15. “Next week’s job opening and nonfarm payrolls reports could generate a lift in yields and the dollar,” he said. For the week, the dollar was down 0.44 percent versus the yen, its worst weekly showing since mid-January. The New Taiwan dollar on Friday gained against the US dollar, adding NT$0.003 to close at NT$30.627, down 0.48 percent from NT$30.480 a week earlier.

Meanwhile, the head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group said its forces had “practically encircled” the eastern Ukraine city of Bakhmut, which has seen the fiercest fighting of Moscow’s invasion. He has said in the past few weeks that his fighters have seized three villages north of Bakhmut — Yagidne, Berkhivka and Paraskoviivka. Ukraine has said it will defend “fortress Bakhmut” for as long as possible, but this week officials said the situation was difficult. Russia is determined to seize Bakhmut — a now-destroyed city once known for its sparkling wine — as part of its wider aim of capturing the entire Donetsk region. Ukrainian troops have held out for months, fighting brutal trench warfare and artillery battles that have flattened large portions of the city.

Militarization of waters around China concerns QuadAFP and Reuters, NEW DELHIThe US, Japan, India and Australia yesterday expressed concern over the militarization of the East and South China seas on the heels of a flare-up in tensions between Washington and Beijing. From left, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi, Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar attend a panel discussion in New Delhi yesterday. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, through which massive amounts of trade passes annually. However, China has no reason to fear the Quad, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi said. Meanwhile, the Quad allies yesterday released another statement saying that Russia cannot be allowed to wage war with impunity.