China’s EV Surge Eclipses Bleak Diesel Outlook
EV charging was up 69% to an all time high in April. Taxis, subway rides are rising too. Meanwhile Sinopec is privately getting even gloomier about the outlook for diesel and gasoline in China. Half(!) or so of China's oil imports are processed into fuel.
China’s RE Dominance Stems From Decades, Not Preplanned Weapon
Respectfully, both can be true. China weaponized its RE dominance but it was in a position to do so because of the industry's growth through the 80s/90s/00s, not all of which was the product of a grand plan to build...
China’s Oil Imports Dip as Electricity Powertrains Rise
Rystad on the drop in Chinese oil imports - "we are seeing ... an oil-to-electricity shift... kilometers are still being driven, just on different powertrains" https://t.co/8H7tgyu7ak
China's Crude Market Calm: No Government Push, Minimal Releases
Great stuff in @michalmei's piece on what's going on with Chinese crude. Unlike 2021 there's been no push from the central govt to source energy at all costs. There's also likely been no release from the strategic reserve, just a...
China's Solar Silicon Production Soars After Billion‑Dollar Investment
China is so ahead in solar now it's hard to believe how far behind they once were. In 2005 China produced just 80 tons of silicon (a key solar building block). By 2011 four companies were already making 89,000! The govt...
Pentagon Pours $200
Some interesting details in this BBG story about the Pentagon's critical minerals team - 200bln in financing over three years (overkill for REs) -Pentagon's most optimistic forecasts suggest will take at least until 2030 for US production to ramp up. https://t.co/ZtaURjJGgc
China Renews US Beef Export Licenses, Paving Trade Boost
First concrete signal of what might be in the coming trade deal... China has just renewed export licenses for hundreds of US beef plants. They've lapsed over the past year or so and China hasn't renewed them until now. It's...
Xi Urges US‑China Leaders to Defy Thucydides Trap
Xi's opening remarks ask whether China and the US can avoid the Thucydides Trap: "These are questions of history, of the world, and of the people. They are also the defining questions of our time that you and I, as...
Trump Heads to Beijing to Negotiate Limited Rare‑earth Truce
Trump is about to land in Beijing to discuss a rare earth truce hat has only ever been partial. China's export controls are still cutting the US, Japan, Germany and others off from specialty rare earths used in semis, aero...
China's Fertilizer Exports Surge in April Despite Controls
China's fertilizer exports jumped in April which is not what you'd have expected given exports controls were imposed in ~late March. That's good news for farmers though
China's Steel Exports Dip to 2023 Low After 2025 Record
Chinese exported a record quantity of steel in 2025, which annoyed a lot of its trade partners. That pace has slowed somewhat this year. Year to date it's at the lowest level since 2023 (although still the fourth highest on...
China’s Refined Fuel Exports Hit Decade Low Despite HK Exemption
China's exports of diesel, gasoline, jet fuel other refined fuels fell to the lowest level in a ~decade in April thanks to the export ban. That probably understates the contraction because the trade figures include HK, which is exempted from...
US Beef Eyes China, Yet Faces Cheaper Aussie Competition
US beef producers hope Trump can secure them access back into China. On paper it looks good - plenty of space left in their import quota. But local execs say they're competing against cheaper alternatives like Australia plus local producers...
First Chinese Ship Hit in Strait, Caixin Reports
A Chinese vessel appears to have been hit for the first time in the Strait, according to Caixin.
China Leads Plastic Production as Costs Surge
China is the world's largest plastic maker and costs are rising. I'm biased but this story also has some great graphics showing how you get from a barrel of oil to supermarket shelves. https://t.co/gXHPjqwIp9 https://t.co/rY8LtlebXX