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Photo by FMT Summary New tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump have caused significant disruptions in Apple’s supply chain in China, affecting major suppliers like Goertek and Luxshare. Shares of Goertek, Luxshare, and other related companies dropped by the maximum daily limit as a result of the tariff increases. Apple’s close ties to these suppliers, referred to as the "three musketeers" of its supply chain, highlight the challenges faced by Chinese manufacturers in light of these tariff hikes. Apple’s global supply chain is facing significant disruptions following the latest round of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The new tariffs have affected key Apple suppliers in China, causing a sharp decline in their stock prices. Companies such as Goertek, Luxshare, and Lens Technology, all integral to Apple’s man ufacturing processes, saw their shares drop by the maximum daily limit on Thursday. This marks another major setback for Apple’s efforts to maintain smooth operations in China, a country that plays a crucial role in assembling most of its iPhones.

Photo by FMT   Summary The U.S. government has imposed a ban on its diplomats, their families, and contractors from engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens. The ban applies to U.S. staff in China, including those in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan, and Hong Kong, but excludes those in pre-existing relationships or stationed outside China. The policy, introduced amid rising political tensions, is part of U.S. efforts to reduce the risk of espionage and strengthen its decoupling from China. In a significant shift i n U.S.-China relations, the U.S. government has introduced a sweeping ban prohibiting its diplomats, families, and security-cleared contractors from engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens. This move comes amidst increasing concerns over the risk of espionage and growing political tensions between the two nations.

Photo by FMT Summary China’s factory activity accelerated in March, supported by stronger demand and robust export orders, as per the Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI. The PMI increased to 51.2 in March from 50.8 the previous month, signaling growth in the manufacturing sector. A surge in export orders, particularly in anticipation of U.S. tariff hikes, contributed to the increase in manufacturing activity. China’s manufacturing sector saw its strongest expansion in four months in March, driven by a surge in export orders. The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 51.2 in March from 50.8 in F ebruary, exceeding expectations of 51.1. This marks a return to growth for China’s manufacturing sector, which had been under pressure for several months.

Photo by FMT Summary China unveils 23 new guidelines to strengthen its social credit system, expanding its reach to include government agencies and enterprises. The guidelines introduce a "seriously discredited entities" list, where companies on the list could face restrictions on issuing stocks and bonds. The move aims to enhance market competitiveness, improve transparency, and ensure a fairer environment for economic activities. China has further solidified its decade-long social credit initiative with the introduction of 23 new guidelines that will expand its scope and enforce stricter credit measures. The guidelines, issued by the State Council, a re designed to improve market fairness and create a more orderly competitive environment. These updates mark a significant evolution in China’s social credit system, which was first outlined in 2014.

Photo by FMT Summary The White House will discuss TikTok’s potential sale during a meeting on Wednesday, April 2, ahead of the Saturday, April 5, deadline. The proposed deal involves non-Chinese investors, including Blackstone and existing ByteDance shareholders, raising their stakes to buy TikTok’s U.S. operations. U.S. President Trump set the deadline for TikTok to secure a non-Chinese buyer to avoid a potential ban over national security concerns. The White House is set to meet on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, to discuss TikTok’s future amid growing concerns about national security. The meeting will be crucial for finalizing decisions regarding the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations. The deadline, set by U.S. President Donald Trump, is quickly approaching, with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, facing the possibility of a U.S. ban if it fails to secure a non-Chinese buyer by April 5.

Photo by FMT Summary Walmart continues to pressure Chinese suppliers to lower their prices in an attempt to offset the impact of U.S. tariffs. Some suppliers are struggling to meet the retailer’s demand for price cuts of up to 10% per round of tariffs. Walmart has been diversifying its supply chain to reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturers, though the country still remains a crucial source for certain products. Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, has been exerting significant pressure on Chinese suppliers to lower their prices in response to U.S. tariffs. According to reports, Walmart is demanding price cuts of up to 10% per round o f tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. This push to reduce costs is part of Walmart’s broader strategy to absorb the impact of tariffs and maintain its competitive pricing model.

Photo by FMT Summary China successfully implants the Beinao-1 smart brain-computer interface (BCI) chip in its first three patients, allowing motion decoding and speech output. The patients have shown promising recovery, with one controlling a robot arm and sharing thoughts on a screen. The Beinao-1 aims to help people with motor and speech impairments caused by conditions like spinal injuries and strokes, and the company plans to start clinical trials after regulatory approval. China has taken a major step forward in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, with the successful implantation of the Beinao-1 smart BCI chip in its first three patients. Developed by the Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, this new technology is designed to aid individuals with motor and speech impairments caused by con ditions like spinal cord injuries, strokes, and cerebral palsy. The implant allows patients to decode motions and even communicate through nearly 100 common Chinese words.

Photo by FMT Summary Microsoft has closed its IoT & AI Insider Lab in Shanghai, signaling a broader pullback from China. The lab, which focused on the development of Internet of Things (IoT) and AI technologies, was shut down earlier this year. This move comes amid increasing geopolitical tensions and US-China trade frictions. Microsoft has recently closed its IoT & AI Insider Lab located in the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Zone in Shanghai, a move that signifies the company’s reduced presence in China. The facility, which was launched in 2019 to support the development of Internet of Things (IoT) and AI technologies, has now been emptied, with the logo removed and office equipment cleared out.

Photo by FMT Summary Tesla has introduced a three-year interest-free loan offer for its refreshed Model Y in China to boost sales. The company has cut the delivery time for the long-range Model Y variant to three to five weeks, signaling increased production at its Shanghai Gigafactory. Tesla’s efforts come amid a slow start to 2025 in the Chinese market, with increased competition from local EV manufacturers. In an effort to reignite sales of its Model Y in China, Tesla has rolled out a three-year interest-free loan offer, a move aimed at boosting sales in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market. This initiative follows a sluggish start to the year, with Tesla striving to maintain its market share amidst intensifying competition from local EV manufacturers.

Photo by FMT Summary Xiaomi's stock dropped by 5.5% following the disclosure of details regarding a fatal crash involving its SU7 electric vehicle. The crash, which occurred on March 29, claimed three lives and involved the car’s Navigate on Autopilot system. Xiaomi’s response included forming a task force to cooperate with police investigations and offering support to the victims' families. Xiaomi's stock took a significant hit, falling by 5.5% to HKD46.50 (USD5.98), after the company revealed details of a fatal crash involving its SU7 electric vehicle. The crash, which occurred on March 29, 2025, resulted in the deaths of three university students who were traveling from Hubei to Anhui province for an exam. The fatal accident has raised concerns over the safety of the SU7's autonomous driving capabilities.

Photo by THE CHINA NOW Summary Huawei's consumer business revenue surged by 38% in 2024, driven by strong smartphone sales and support from domestic consumers. The company’s total annual revenue reached 862.1 billion yuan, its second-highest on record, reflecting a recovery despite ongoing US sanctions. Huawei’s intelligent automotive solutions also saw substantial growth, posting an annual profit for the first time. Huawei Technologies has reported a significant surge in its consumer business, with revenue growing 38% in 2024. The increase, driven by robust smartphone sales, reflects Huawei’s recovery from the impact of US sanction s that have affected its mobile phone operations and international market presence in recent years.

Photo by FMT Summary China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) pledges stricter oversight of the EV market to prevent unfair price cuts and boost industry growth. The government will focus on monitoring prices and addressing false information to maintain market stability. The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) has raised its forecast for EV sales in China to 16.1 million units in 2025. China has announced plans to implement stricter oversight of its electric vehicle (EV) market in an effort to curb unfair price competition and enhance the overall stability of the industry. With only three EV makers in China currently profitable, the government has expressed concerns over price cuts that could undermine market order and harm the long-term development of the sector.