In their first call since November, Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned US president Donald Trump to be “prudent” about supplying arms to Taiwan, according to a readout of their call provided by China’s foreign ministry. “President Xi emphasised that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations,” the readout said. “China must safeguard its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will never allow Taiwan to be separated. The US must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan with prudence.” Hours later, the self-ruled island’s president, Lai…
Day: February 5, 2026
Chinese provinces set lower growth targets for 2026
Stay informed with free updates Simply sign up to the Chinese economy myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox. Most Chinese provinces are targeting lower economic growth this year, in what many economists believe is a signal Beijing will set a historically low range of 4.5-5 per cent for its official goal in 2026. Of the 29 out of China’s 31 province-level areas that have so far announced growth targets, 19 have cut them compared with 2025, according to a tally by the FT. The central government is scheduled…
There are good reasons to be cheerful about global trade
Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free Your guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the world If you want to take a gloomy view of the prospects for trade and globalisation based on the year so far, you’re not short of material. Donald Trump has threatened tariffs against the EU for resisting his desire to annex Greenland, and against anyone trading with Iran or selling oil to Cuba. A brutally frank speech by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has articulated widespread fears about the…