logo
Double-edged sword: US probe into China's drone dominance is a risk, analysts say

Double-edged sword: US probe into China's drone dominance is a risk, analysts say

The United States has launched investigations into imports of drones and polysilicon – two sectors where China holds
a global lead – in a move that could pave the way for tariffs and give Washington leverage in trade negotiations between the world's two largest economies, analysts said.
The US Bureau of Industry and Security released a document on Monday, seeking public comments as it moves forward with the investigation, which began on July 1 under
'Section 232' of the Trade Expansion Act.
'Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, data, analyses or other information pertinent to the investigation,' the notice's authors said.
While the investigation does not explicitly name China, it will examine American reliance on imported unmanned aircraft systems – including drones used for commercial, industrial and military purposes –
as well as polysilicon , a critical material used in solar panels and semiconductors. Beijing holds a dominant position in both sectors.
Section 232 grants the US president the power to impose duties if a Department of Commerce investigation finds that certain imports threaten national security. Trump has used the law to levy tariffs on steel, aluminium and cars, and the 50 per cent copper tariff he threatened last week also came from a Section 232 probe.
Alfredo Montufar-Helu, a senior China-based adviser to C-suites, said he 'wouldn't be surprised' if Washington's investigation was used to gain leverage for future trade negotiations with China.
But he also cautioned that the move was a double-edged sword.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump plays golf as protesters rally
Trump plays golf as protesters rally

RTHK

time2 hours ago

  • RTHK

Trump plays golf as protesters rally

Trump plays golf as protesters rally President Trump on the golf course his first full day of a visit to Scotland. Photo: Reuters US President Donald Trump played golf under tight security on the first full day of a visit to Scotland Saturday, as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in major cities. Trump played at his Turnberry resort with son Eric and US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, waving to photographers following his arrival in his mother's birth country on Friday evening. His presence has turned the picturesque and normally quiet area of southwest Scotland into a virtual fortress, with roads closed and police checkpoints in place. Police officers - some on quad bikes and others on foot with sniffer dogs - patrolled the famous course and the sandy beaches and grass dunes that flank it. Secret Service snipers were positioned at vantage points while some other golfers on the course were patted down by security personnel. The 79-year-old touched down Friday at nearby Prestwick Airport as hundreds of onlookers came out to see Air Force One and catch a glimpse of its famous passenger. The president has professed a love of Scotland, but his controversial politics and business investments in the country have made for an uneasy relationship. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac, Trump immediately waded into the debate surrounding high levels of irregular migration, and lashed out at renewable energy efforts. Trump's five-day visit, which is set to mix leisure with business and diplomacy, has divided the local community. Several hundred protesters demonstrated outside the US consulate in the capital Edinburgh and in the city of Aberdeen, near where Trump owns another golf resort. The protests were organised by the Stop Trump Coalition. Participants held placards with slogans like "Scotland hates Trump" and waved Palestinian flags. (AFP)

‘Failure' for Taiwan's William Lai as all 24 opposition KMT lawmakers survive mass recall vote
‘Failure' for Taiwan's William Lai as all 24 opposition KMT lawmakers survive mass recall vote

South China Morning Post

time2 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

‘Failure' for Taiwan's William Lai as all 24 opposition KMT lawmakers survive mass recall vote

Voters in Taiwan on Saturday resoundingly rejected a mass recall campaign targeting opposition lawmakers, dealing a major setback to Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) while handing the Kuomintang (KMT) a surprise reprieve. All 24 lawmakers from the Beijing-friendly KMT who faced recall votes survived, in what analysts described as a serious political miscalculation by the DPP and its affiliated civil society groups. The backfiring of the DPP's high octane campaign, which was championed as a way to root out 'pro-China forces' and safeguard Taiwan's democracy, exposes growing public fatigue with 'anti-China' rhetoric as a blanket strategy. Beijing, which regards Taiwan as a part of China to be reunited by force if necessary, has intensified military pressure on the island since Lai took office in May last year and provoked Beijing with what it calls 'separatist' and pro-independence remarks. 01:40 Tens of thousands rally in Taiwan against William Lai as recall turmoil engulfs legislature Tens of thousands rally in Taiwan against William Lai as recall turmoil engulfs legislature The United States, like most countries, does not recognise self-governed Taiwan as independent. However, it is opposed to any unilateral change to the status quo and is committed to supplying Taiwan with weapons for defence.

Trump plays golf as protesters rally
Trump plays golf as protesters rally

RTHK

time2 hours ago

  • RTHK

Trump plays golf as protesters rally

Trump plays golf as protesters rally President Trump on the golf course his first full day of a visit to Scotland. Photo: Reuters US President Donald Trump played golf under tight security on the first full day of a visit to Scotland Saturday, as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in major cities. Trump played at his Turnberry resort with son Eric and US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, waving to photographers following his arrival in his mother's birth country on Friday evening. His presence has turned the picturesque and normally quiet area of southwest Scotland into a virtual fortress, with roads closed and police checkpoints in place. Police officers - some on quad bikes and others on foot with sniffer dogs - patrolled the famous course and the sandy beaches and grass dunes that flank it. Secret Service snipers were positioned at vantage points while some other golfers on the course were patted down by security personnel. The 79-year-old touched down Friday at nearby Prestwick Airport as hundreds of onlookers came out to see Air Force One and catch a glimpse of its famous passenger. The president has professed a love of Scotland, but his controversial politics and business investments in the country have made for an uneasy relationship. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac, Trump immediately waded into the debate surrounding high levels of irregular migration, and lashed out at renewable energy efforts. Trump's five-day visit, which is set to mix leisure with business and diplomacy, has divided the local community. Several hundred protesters demonstrated outside the US consulate in the capital Edinburgh and in the city of Aberdeen, near where Trump owns another golf resort. The protests were organised by the Stop Trump Coalition. Participants held placards with slogans like "Scotland hates Trump" and waved Palestinian flags. (AFP)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store