FBI says it broke up effort to bring toxic fungus to Michigan lab from China
DETROIT (AP) — A Chinese scientist entered the U.S. last year with a toxic fungus stashed in his backpack, federal authorities said Tuesday as they filed charges against him and a girlfriend who worked in a lab at the University of Michigan.
The pathogen is known as Fusarium graminearum, which can attack wheat, barley, maize and rice and sicken livestock and people, the FBI said in a court filing in Detroit.
The FBI said a scientific journal describes it as a 'potential agroterrorism weapon.'
Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, were charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud.
'The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals, including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party, are of the gravest national security concerns,' U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. said.
Jian appeared in court and was returned to jail to await a bond hearing Thursday. A message seeking comment from her attorney was not immediately returned.
In July 2024, Liu was turned away at the Detroit airport and sent back to China after changing his story during an interrogation about red plant material discovered in his backpack, the FBI said.
He initially claimed ignorance about the samples but later said he was planning to use the material for research at a University of Michigan lab where Jian worked and where Liu previously worked, the FBI said.
The FBI said authorities found a scientific article on Liu's phone that was titled, 'Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions.'
A week before arriving in the U.S., according to investigators, Liu exchanged messages with Jian, who said, 'It's a pity that I still have to work for you.'
The FBI said Liu replied: 'Once this is done, everything else will be easy.'
Months later, in February, FBI agents visited Jian at the campus lab. She said, '100% no,' when asked if she had been assisting Liu with the pathogen at the lab. The FBI said it found a signed statement on her phone expressing her support for the Communist Party of China.
Messages between the two in 2024 suggest that Jian was already tending to Fusarium graminearum at the campus lab before Liu was caught at the Detroit airport, the FBI said. The university does not have federal permits to handle it.
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- Yahoo
Trump tariffs live updates: Trump and China's Xi Jinping speak at last with trade truce under strain
President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke on Thursday at Trump's request, Chinese state media said. The call comes after weeks of Trump publicly pushing for the talk, as US-China tensions have risen in the aftermath of the countries' trade truce reached in mid-May in Geneva. Both countries have accused the other of breaching that truce while ratcheting up pressure on other issues. "I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!" Trump posted on Truth Social in the early hours of Wednesday. On Wednesday, a US auto parts group urged immediate action on one of those bubbly issues: China's tighter controls on rare earth exports. The group warned the move could soon disrupt car production. China processes over 90% of these minerals, which are used in motors and cameras, among other things. Car giants, such as General Motors (GM), Ford (F), and Toyota (TM), joined the call for help. China's rare earth curbs are seen as part of the wider trade tensions with the US. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Trump's call with Xi come as the US is pushing countries to speed up trade talks. The White House confirmed that the US sent a letter to partners as a "friendly reminder" that Trump's self-imposed 90-day pause on sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs is set to expire in early July. White House advisers have for weeks promised trade deals in the "not-too-distant future," with the only announced agreement so far coming with the United Kingdom. US friction with China and the EU — two key trade partners — amped up after Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%. Those tariffs took effect on Wednesday, June 4. US trade talks with the EU have come back into focus as an early-July deadline looms for Trump's 50% tariffs on imports from the bloc. Meanwhile, Trump's most sweeping tariffs face legal uncertainty after a federal appeals court allowed the tariffs to temporarily stay in effect, a day after the US Court of International Trade blocked their implementation, deeming the method used to enact them "unlawful." Administration officials also hinted that court rulings would not be the final say. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul has an overview of the other maneuvers Trump could pursue. Here are the latest updates as the policy reverberates around the world. A major US auto parts group warned on Wednesday that China's new export rules on rare earths could soon cause serious problems for car production. These rare earth materials are used in cars and cameras, and China controls over 90% of the world's supply. This follows news that China is using a tracking system to monitor and control who is buying and selling rare earths, Car giants like GM (GM), Ford (F), and Toyota (TM) are already feeling the pressure. Ford has paused production of its Explorer SUV because of rare earth shortages. Foreign car companies are also feeling the heat. Suzuki Motor's suspended production of one of its vehicles due to rare earth restrictions, and German carmaker Mercedes-Benz ( MBGAF) is looking into building rare earth stockpiles with one of its key suppliers. In a statement to Reuters, MEMA, the Vehicle Suppliers Association, said: "The situation remains unresolved and the level of concern remains very high. It added: "Immediate and decisive action is needed to prevent widespread disruption and economic fallout across the vehicle supplier sector." It was also reported on Thursday that Japan is planning to propose strengthening cooperation with the US on rare earth supply chains in upcoming tariff talks with the US, due to recent export restrictions by China. The US and Japan are not the only two nations affected by the rare earths restrictions. Europe has also sounded the alarm, with EU businesses lobbying Beijing to set up a fast-track system for approval of rare earth export licences for "reliable" companies. China's rare earth curbs are seen as part of the wider trade tensions with the US as the two nations seek to reach a trade deal and avoid tariffs. Chinese state media reported Thursday morning that President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone call at Trump's request. Anticipation had been building as to when the two leaders would speak, as trade tensions between the US and China reignited after Trump and Chinese officials each stated the other had broken their informal Geneva agreement. Trump had publicly pushed for a phone call, which press secretary Karoline Leavitt hinted would come this week. The call appears to mark the first talk between the two leaders during Trump's second term in office. Indian and US officials are holding high-level talks this week in New Delhi to hammer out a finalized trade deal that could be announced this month, two government sources told Reuters. Reuters reports: Read more here. The tit-for-tat game between the US and China continues. A Bloomberg report on Thursday said that the Trump administration plans to broaden restrictions on China's tech sector with new regulations to include subsidiaries of companies under US curbs. This follows China's curbs on rare earths which have led to the US, the EU, Japan and global car companies sounding the alarm on supply chain issues. The Geneva tariff talks between the US and China were meant to help prevent trade tensions between the two nations and put a stop to escalating tariffs. However, it seems both sides are unwilling to back down. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. US business optimism has fallen sharply, reflecting a trend seen in the first quarter of the year and a reversal from the buoyant mood after President Trump was elected. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. The world's largest consumer goods company, Procter & Gamble (PG), said on Thursday it will cut 7,000 jobs, approximately 6% of its total workforce, over the next two years as part of a new restructuring plan to combat falling consumer demand and higher costs due to tariffs. P&G said it also plans to exit some product categories and brands in certain markets. P&G, which makes popular brands such as Pampers and Tide detergent, said the restructuring plan comes when consumer spending is pressured. Like P&G, other consumer companies are also facing a drop in demand, such as Unilever. President Trump's tariffs on trading partners have deeply impacted global markets and led to recession fears in the US, which is the biggest market for P&G. A Reuters poll revealed that Trump's trade war has cost companies over $34B in lost sales and higher costs. My colleague Brian Sozzi highlights some of P&G's changes within his latest piece, stating that the consumer goods brand knows how to do a "few things very well." P&G was forced to raise prices on some products in April. Pricing and cost cuts were the main levers, CFO Andre Schulten said. On Thursday, Schulten and P&G's operations head Shailesh Jejurikar acknowledged that the geopolitical environment was "unpredictable" and that consumers were facing "greater uncertainty." Read more here. Instead of passing on tariff costs to consumers, tonic maker Fevertree Drinks (FQVTY) announced on Thursday it would equally split costs of the 10% tariff imposed on UK imports to the US with brewer Molson Coors (TAP). The British company, known for its premium cocktail mixers, counts the United States as its largest market, where it continues to deliver strong momentum bolstered by its partnership with the US beer maker Molson Coors. Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. British firms are brushing off President Trump's tariffs, according to a survey released on Thursday by the Bank of England. Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. Apple (AAPL), which has become caught in the crossfire of President Trump's trade war several times this year, now faces delays to the launch of Apple Intelligence in China, the Financial Times reports. It's the latest instance in which the conflict between the US and China has spilled into areas other than tariffs, including aircraft bans, export controls, and student visas. From the Financial Times: Read more here (premium). Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will take "some time" to assemble a response to the doubled steel and aluminum tariffs President Trump imposed on Tuesday and that the US and Canada are currently involved in "intensive" trade talks. "We will take some time — not much, some time — because we are in intensive discussions right now with the Americans on our trading relationship," Carney said, as reported by the Canadian Press. Carney also stated that the 50% steel and aluminum tariffs are "unlawful and unjustified," and he predicted they will harm American workers as well as Canada. He noted that Canada is considering its response to Trump's escalation. Already the country has implemented countermeasures on $90 billion worth of US goods. Read more here. In a new letter approximating the budgetary impacts of President Trump's tariffs, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) stated that tariffs would reduce deficits but reduce the US economy and raise inflation. CBO assessed that the collections from tariffs implemented between Jan. 6 and May 13 would reduce primary deficits by a net $2.8 trillion over the next decade when accounting for reduced outlays of interest payments as well as changes in the size of the economy. The preliminary analysis stated that the effects of retaliatory tariffs, plus reductions in investment and productivity due to tariffs, are expected to weigh on economic growth. The budget office pegged a $300 billion increase in the deficit to these economic changes, partially offsetting the $3 trillion deficit reduction from tariff revenue. CBO also estimated that inflation will increase by 0.4 percentage points on average in 2025 and 2026, thereby "reducing the purchasing power of households and businesses." The estimates reflect the duties imposed as of May 13, including 10% broad-based tariffs, 25% auto tariffs, and 25% steel and aluminum tariffs (the last of which doubled as of June 3). They do not reflect the US-UK trade pact announced on May 8. President Trump's tariffs are leading many American's, especially those with deeper pockets to flock to dollar stores. Chains such as Dollar General and Dollar Tree, whose core customer base was once (and still is) those with less money, are now seeing a rise in wealthier customers visiting their stores, as Trump's tariffs darken US consumer sentiment. The FT reports: Read more here. Activity in the services sector has fallen into contraction for the first time in a year. The Institute for Supply Management's Services PMI registered a reading of 49.9 in May, below the 51.6 seen in April and lower than the increase to 52 economists had expected. Readings above 50 for this index indicate an expansion in activity, while readings below 50 indicate contraction. May's data marked just the fourth time the services sector has fallen into contraction in the past five years. New orders tumbled to a reading of 46.4 in May, below the 52.3 seen the month prior. Meanwhile, the prices paid index increased to 68.7, up from 65.1 in April. This marked the highest prices paid reading since November 2022, when the Consumer Price Index had shown inflation at 7.1%. Steve Miller, the chair of ISM's Services Business Survey, said in the release that "tariff impacts are likely elevating prices paid." "May's PMI level is not indicative of a severe contraction, but rather uncertainty that is being expressed broadly among ISM Services Business Survey panelists," Miller said. Yahoo Finance's Josh Schafer reports: Read more here. The Bank of Canada noted that it's seeing softness in the Canadian economy due to tariffs as it held interest rates steady on Wednesday. 'With uncertainty about US tariffs still high, the Canadian economy softer but not sharply weaker, and some unexpected firmness in recent inflation data, Governing Council decided to hold the policy rate as we gain more information on US trade policy and its impacts,' the Bank said in a statement. 'We will continue to assess the timing and strength of both the downward pressures on inflation from a weaker economy and the upward pressures on inflation from higher costs.' Governor Tiff Macklem also noted that while it's too soon to see tariff-related inflation broadly in consumer prices, the US-Canada trade conflict is "the biggest headwind facing the Canadian economy." Read live updates about the Bank of Canada's policy meeting here. British Prime Minister Kier Starmer said on Wednesday he is confident the tariffs on US imports of British steel will be reduced to zero within a "couple of weeks" and that the UK will avoid the July deadline, which could see levies rise up by 50%. Britain managed to avoid the 50% tariff on steel imports into the US, but President Trump has said if a deal is not made by July 9, British steel will face the same fate as other countries. Reuters reports: Read more here. Like many other retailers, tariffs have hit the discount store Dollar Tree (DLTR), who have blamed President Trump's trade war for its weak second-quarter profit. Shares of the company were down about just over 1% in premarket trading. Reuters reports: Read more here. A major US auto parts group warned on Wednesday that China's new export rules on rare earths could soon cause serious problems for car production. These rare earth materials are used in cars and cameras, and China controls over 90% of the world's supply. This follows news that China is using a tracking system to monitor and control who is buying and selling rare earths, Car giants like GM (GM), Ford (F), and Toyota (TM) are already feeling the pressure. Ford has paused production of its Explorer SUV because of rare earth shortages. Foreign car companies are also feeling the heat. Suzuki Motor's suspended production of one of its vehicles due to rare earth restrictions, and German carmaker Mercedes-Benz ( MBGAF) is looking into building rare earth stockpiles with one of its key suppliers. In a statement to Reuters, MEMA, the Vehicle Suppliers Association, said: "The situation remains unresolved and the level of concern remains very high. It added: "Immediate and decisive action is needed to prevent widespread disruption and economic fallout across the vehicle supplier sector." It was also reported on Thursday that Japan is planning to propose strengthening cooperation with the US on rare earth supply chains in upcoming tariff talks with the US, due to recent export restrictions by China. The US and Japan are not the only two nations affected by the rare earths restrictions. Europe has also sounded the alarm, with EU businesses lobbying Beijing to set up a fast-track system for approval of rare earth export licences for "reliable" companies. China's rare earth curbs are seen as part of the wider trade tensions with the US as the two nations seek to reach a trade deal and avoid tariffs. Chinese state media reported Thursday morning that President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone call at Trump's request. Anticipation had been building as to when the two leaders would speak, as trade tensions between the US and China reignited after Trump and Chinese officials each stated the other had broken their informal Geneva agreement. Trump had publicly pushed for a phone call, which press secretary Karoline Leavitt hinted would come this week. The call appears to mark the first talk between the two leaders during Trump's second term in office. Indian and US officials are holding high-level talks this week in New Delhi to hammer out a finalized trade deal that could be announced this month, two government sources told Reuters. Reuters reports: Read more here. The tit-for-tat game between the US and China continues. A Bloomberg report on Thursday said that the Trump administration plans to broaden restrictions on China's tech sector with new regulations to include subsidiaries of companies under US curbs. This follows China's curbs on rare earths which have led to the US, the EU, Japan and global car companies sounding the alarm on supply chain issues. The Geneva tariff talks between the US and China were meant to help prevent trade tensions between the two nations and put a stop to escalating tariffs. However, it seems both sides are unwilling to back down. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. US business optimism has fallen sharply, reflecting a trend seen in the first quarter of the year and a reversal from the buoyant mood after President Trump was elected. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. The world's largest consumer goods company, Procter & Gamble (PG), said on Thursday it will cut 7,000 jobs, approximately 6% of its total workforce, over the next two years as part of a new restructuring plan to combat falling consumer demand and higher costs due to tariffs. P&G said it also plans to exit some product categories and brands in certain markets. P&G, which makes popular brands such as Pampers and Tide detergent, said the restructuring plan comes when consumer spending is pressured. Like P&G, other consumer companies are also facing a drop in demand, such as Unilever. President Trump's tariffs on trading partners have deeply impacted global markets and led to recession fears in the US, which is the biggest market for P&G. A Reuters poll revealed that Trump's trade war has cost companies over $34B in lost sales and higher costs. My colleague Brian Sozzi highlights some of P&G's changes within his latest piece, stating that the consumer goods brand knows how to do a "few things very well." P&G was forced to raise prices on some products in April. Pricing and cost cuts were the main levers, CFO Andre Schulten said. On Thursday, Schulten and P&G's operations head Shailesh Jejurikar acknowledged that the geopolitical environment was "unpredictable" and that consumers were facing "greater uncertainty." Read more here. Instead of passing on tariff costs to consumers, tonic maker Fevertree Drinks (FQVTY) announced on Thursday it would equally split costs of the 10% tariff imposed on UK imports to the US with brewer Molson Coors (TAP). The British company, known for its premium cocktail mixers, counts the United States as its largest market, where it continues to deliver strong momentum bolstered by its partnership with the US beer maker Molson Coors. Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. British firms are brushing off President Trump's tariffs, according to a survey released on Thursday by the Bank of England. Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Read more here. Apple (AAPL), which has become caught in the crossfire of President Trump's trade war several times this year, now faces delays to the launch of Apple Intelligence in China, the Financial Times reports. It's the latest instance in which the conflict between the US and China has spilled into areas other than tariffs, including aircraft bans, export controls, and student visas. From the Financial Times: Read more here (premium). Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will take "some time" to assemble a response to the doubled steel and aluminum tariffs President Trump imposed on Tuesday and that the US and Canada are currently involved in "intensive" trade talks. "We will take some time — not much, some time — because we are in intensive discussions right now with the Americans on our trading relationship," Carney said, as reported by the Canadian Press. Carney also stated that the 50% steel and aluminum tariffs are "unlawful and unjustified," and he predicted they will harm American workers as well as Canada. He noted that Canada is considering its response to Trump's escalation. Already the country has implemented countermeasures on $90 billion worth of US goods. Read more here. In a new letter approximating the budgetary impacts of President Trump's tariffs, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) stated that tariffs would reduce deficits but reduce the US economy and raise inflation. CBO assessed that the collections from tariffs implemented between Jan. 6 and May 13 would reduce primary deficits by a net $2.8 trillion over the next decade when accounting for reduced outlays of interest payments as well as changes in the size of the economy. The preliminary analysis stated that the effects of retaliatory tariffs, plus reductions in investment and productivity due to tariffs, are expected to weigh on economic growth. The budget office pegged a $300 billion increase in the deficit to these economic changes, partially offsetting the $3 trillion deficit reduction from tariff revenue. CBO also estimated that inflation will increase by 0.4 percentage points on average in 2025 and 2026, thereby "reducing the purchasing power of households and businesses." The estimates reflect the duties imposed as of May 13, including 10% broad-based tariffs, 25% auto tariffs, and 25% steel and aluminum tariffs (the last of which doubled as of June 3). They do not reflect the US-UK trade pact announced on May 8. President Trump's tariffs are leading many American's, especially those with deeper pockets to flock to dollar stores. Chains such as Dollar General and Dollar Tree, whose core customer base was once (and still is) those with less money, are now seeing a rise in wealthier customers visiting their stores, as Trump's tariffs darken US consumer sentiment. The FT reports: Read more here. Activity in the services sector has fallen into contraction for the first time in a year. The Institute for Supply Management's Services PMI registered a reading of 49.9 in May, below the 51.6 seen in April and lower than the increase to 52 economists had expected. Readings above 50 for this index indicate an expansion in activity, while readings below 50 indicate contraction. May's data marked just the fourth time the services sector has fallen into contraction in the past five years. New orders tumbled to a reading of 46.4 in May, below the 52.3 seen the month prior. Meanwhile, the prices paid index increased to 68.7, up from 65.1 in April. This marked the highest prices paid reading since November 2022, when the Consumer Price Index had shown inflation at 7.1%. Steve Miller, the chair of ISM's Services Business Survey, said in the release that "tariff impacts are likely elevating prices paid." "May's PMI level is not indicative of a severe contraction, but rather uncertainty that is being expressed broadly among ISM Services Business Survey panelists," Miller said. Yahoo Finance's Josh Schafer reports: Read more here. The Bank of Canada noted that it's seeing softness in the Canadian economy due to tariffs as it held interest rates steady on Wednesday. 'With uncertainty about US tariffs still high, the Canadian economy softer but not sharply weaker, and some unexpected firmness in recent inflation data, Governing Council decided to hold the policy rate as we gain more information on US trade policy and its impacts,' the Bank said in a statement. 'We will continue to assess the timing and strength of both the downward pressures on inflation from a weaker economy and the upward pressures on inflation from higher costs.' Governor Tiff Macklem also noted that while it's too soon to see tariff-related inflation broadly in consumer prices, the US-Canada trade conflict is "the biggest headwind facing the Canadian economy." Read live updates about the Bank of Canada's policy meeting here. British Prime Minister Kier Starmer said on Wednesday he is confident the tariffs on US imports of British steel will be reduced to zero within a "couple of weeks" and that the UK will avoid the July deadline, which could see levies rise up by 50%. Britain managed to avoid the 50% tariff on steel imports into the US, but President Trump has said if a deal is not made by July 9, British steel will face the same fate as other countries. Reuters reports: Read more here. Like many other retailers, tariffs have hit the discount store Dollar Tree (DLTR), who have blamed President Trump's trade war for its weak second-quarter profit. Shares of the company were down about just over 1% in premarket trading. Reuters reports: Read more here.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Trump and Xi have held their long-awaited call: Chinese state media
A call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken place, according to Chinese state media. The bulletin from China was not immediately confirmed by Trump or his team, with the Chinese offering no immediate details about the call itself other than to say the talks took place and that they happened at Trump's request. Either way the apparent call would be a significant step in Trump's highest stake trade talks and appears to be the first time Trump and Xi have spoken since Trump inauguration. The long-awaited call also comes at a fraught moment for US-China trade talks, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described as 'stalled.' The path towards an eventual trade deal with China — or at least continued de-escalation after a trade truce in May lowered tariffs by 115 percentage points for 90 days — has been in question especially after a recent Trump social media missive took aim at Xi personally by saying that dealing with the leader is "extremely hard." Thursday's apparent call was the latest step in a rapid-fire series of developments this week across three continents offering caution that trade tensions could perhaps rise this summer after weeks of talk around the notion that markets may be calmed by a TACO ("Trump Always Chickens Out") trade. On China, the pact that was inked in May was hailed by Trump as a 'total rest' but has looked increasingly fragile in recent days, with both sides charging that the other is cheating in recent days and significant unresolved issues looming — from critical minerals to semiconductors. Trump and his team say that China has already violated the 90-day truce by not loosening trade restrictions for critical minerals, which are the building blocks in everything from computers to electric vehicle batteries to jet engines to medical devices. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has denied the claims and accused the US of its own actions to undermine the deal. This is a developing story and will be updated. Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices
News24
an hour ago
- News24
Cradock Four inquest: Professor Swartz says he is yet to forgive activists' killers
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