Author: HeraldStar

By Hadia Safeer Choudhry The Trump administration’s recent move to exempt smartphones, semiconductors, and other key electronic products from its reciprocal tariff plan signals not strategic brilliance but a desperate attempt to salvage economic stability amid internal discord and rising global defiance. Initially portrayed as a bold tactic to reinforce U.S. manufacturing and intimidate rivals, the policy is unraveling—exposing chaos within the administration and underestimating the world’s capacity to defend its own economic interests. This article explores two central dynamics of this unraveling: (1) the internal contradictions that have undermined the coherence of U.S. policy implementation, and (2) the growing…

By Hadia Safeer Choudhry “Trade wars are good, and easy to win,” U.S. President Donald Trump once asserted-until April 9, when he paused his new “reciprocal” tariffs for 90 days on all countries except China. Just two days later, certain electronics, including smartphones and semiconductors, were initially exempted from the 125% tariffs imposed on Chinese imports. Yet, the administration later noted that these exemptions might be temporary, with plans to reintroduce tariffs on these products within a month or two. Following Trump’s announcement of the 90-day tariff reprieve, Wall Street responded positively. The S&P 500 soared 9.5% in a single session,…

Zhengzhou, China – April 19, 2025 — The Belt & Road Medical Association (BRMA), an initiative of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Guan’ai Future Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Clinics Project to promote the internationalization of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) along the Belt and Road countries, beginning with a pilot in Pakistan. This landmark agreement, signed in Zhengzhou, Henan, sets the foundation for the first TCM clinic to open in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, with future expansion planned in other key cities. The project will be fully funded…

By Qaiser Nawab China’s economy kicked off 2025 on a strong footing, with first-quarter GDP rising by 5.4% year-on-year to 31.88 trillion yuan (~$4.35 trillion), ahead of the forecast of 5.1% by a Reuters poll of 57 economists earlier this month. This outturn contrasts sharply with a cooling global backdrop: the IMF has cut its 2025 world-growth forecast to 2.8% on April 22, citing soaring trade-war uncertainty and policy drift. China’s Domestic Engines What’s cooking in Beijing? Launching into 2025, China’s domestic economy demonstrated dual momentum in Q1, with industrial production and consumer spending both posting solid growth. Industrial output…

By Rama Chandran America’s sudden withdrawal from climate leadership marks a stark departure from its previous joint efforts with China, which were fundamental to the Paris Agreement. The world has been left looking to China for hope. China is thus stepping up to fill the leadership vacuum. Since China believes that contributions should be commensurate with capabilities in climate governance, responding to the leadership call on climate change remains a diplomatic challenge. Over the years, climate camaraderie has considerably diminished in the China-U.S. relationship. Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Barack Obama had made some headway in prioritizing climate…

By Agil Alesger During the visit, the signing of several official agreements between the two countries and the deepening of strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China create opportunities for the development of mutually beneficial economic and political relations for both countries. This could lead to the realization of joint projects in the energy and trade sectors. Azerbaijan’s strategic geographical location enhances its role as a bridge between Europe and Asia within China’s “Belt and Road” initiative. Thus, Azerbaijan gains easier access to European markets, while its importance in Europe is also increasing. The agreement to strengthen the alignment of the…

By Qaiser Nawab The ongoing two-day state visit of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan to China is a defining moment in the evolving partnership between these two nations. The meetings held today with Chinese leadership are poised to take their collaboration to new heights, solidifying the growing relationship between Azerbaijan and China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As the world increasingly shifts towards regional connectivity, the two countries have come together to chart a course that not only benefits them but also contributes to a more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable global future. This historic visit…

Beijing, China – April 22, 2025 In a significant step towards fostering cooperation between Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries, Qaiser Nawab, Chairman of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), and Mr. Duan Xiaofei, General Manager of CIIC International Education Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Beijing. This agreement aims to enhance collaboration in workforce training, capacity building, and vocational education, with an initial pilot project in Pakistan, though the agreement encompasses all BRI countries. This partnership, focused on vocational education, technical skills development, and human resource development, is expected to…

By Karter Lin The Trump administration’s recent move to exempt smartphones, semiconductors, and other key electronic products from its reciprocal tariff plan signals not strategic brilliance but a desperate attempt to salvage economic stability amid internal discord and rising global defiance. Initially portrayed as a bold tactic to reinforce U.S. manufacturing and intimidate rivals, the policy is unraveling—exposing chaos within the administration and underestimating the world’s capacity to defend its own economic interests. This article explores two central dynamics of this unraveling: (1) the internal contradictions that have undermined the coherence of U.S. policy implementation, and (2) the growing capability…

By Qaiser Nawab In recent weeks, global markets have been rocked by a startling development in what is traditionally considered the safest financial asset in the world: U.S. Treasury bonds. A sharp and unprecedented surge in yields — with the 10-year Treasury yield rising by 42 basis points in just 24 hours — has sent tremors through an already jittery investment landscape. This is not simply another case of market volatility. What we are witnessing is a convergence of forces that threaten the very foundation of global finance. At the center of it all lies an obscure but dangerous financial…