Latest news with #US-origin
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First Post
a day ago
- Business
- First Post
US-China trade tensions threaten tech partnerships
As both the US and China accuse each other of violating the 90-day trade truce agreed upon in May, tech partnership between the world's top two economies is falling apart brick by brick read more Trade tensions between the US and China have escalated again as the world's two largest economies accuse each other of breaching the 90-day trade truce agreed upon in May. On Monday (June 2), Beijing accused the US of breaching the agreement after US President Donald Trump said China had ' totally violated ' it. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said that while China had upheld the deal, the US introduced 'discriminatory and restrictive measures' that 'severely undermine' the agreement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tech decoupling in full swing One of the many fallouts of this trade tussle is that the tech partnership between the two countries is falling apart. Last month, the Trump administration intensified its crackdown on Huawei , saying that the use of the Chinese technology giant's artificial intelligence (AI) chips could trigger criminal penalties under US export control laws. In a statement, the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) said, 'Using Huawei Ascend chips anywhere in the world violates US export controls.' The BIS maintains that the chips are 'likely to have been designed with certain US software or technology or produced with semiconductor manufacturing equipment that is the direct product of certain US-origin software or technology, or both.' Meanwhile, Reuters reported last month that Washington has ordered a broad swathe of companies to stop shipping goods to China without a license and revoked licenses already granted to certain suppliers. Several US firms have received letters from the Trump administration over the past few weeks, highlighting the new restrictions. The agency quoted sources as saying the letters were sent to firms shipping electronic design automation (EDA) software for semiconductors. China forcing Apple Intelligence rollout delays There are allegations that China might also be doubling down on punitive measures against US firms as trade war leverage. According to media reports, Apple's rollout of intelligence services in China is being held up by regulators. Apple is working with Alibaba to launch Apple Intelligence for Chinese users. The software would also be embedded in Alibaba devices. However, China's internet authority is sitting over approval requests. Experts are linking the approval delays to trade tensions between the two nations. Apple's business interests have been hit hard as these restrictions put local competitors Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo in an advantageous position. The firm's business is already shrinking in the world's second-largest economy. At the start of 2023, Apple dominated the Chinese smartphone market with a 70 per cent share, while Huawei languished at 13 per cent. However, by the first quarter of this year, Apple's share dropped to below 50 per cent while Huawei's rose to 35 per cent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump-Xi talks soon This tech decoupling is expected to continue as long as trade tensions simmer. Trump is expected to talk to China's Xi Jinping in the coming days, as confirmed by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. 'Maybe it's a glitch in the Chinese system; maybe it's intentional. We'll see after the president speaks with the party chairman,' Bessent said, referring to Xi. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, also hoped that the two leaders would have a 'wonderful conversation'. 'President Trump, we expect, is going to have a wonderful conversation about the trade negotiations this week with President Xi,' he said on the ABC News program 'This Week.'
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
US balks at India-Russia defence ties: What's delaying Washington's deals?
On Tuesday (June 3), US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick delivered a message that many in New Delhi may have long suspected but seldom heard in such stark terms. Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, Lutnick said past Indian decisions, like defence purchases from Russia and participation in Brics, have 'rubbed the United States the wrong way". 'That's a way to kind of get under the skin of America,' he said, singling out India's military ties with Moscow and its presence in groupings like Brics, which is perceived to challenge the dollar's global dominance. The message was blunt, but it revealed a deeper truth, despite a loud strategic and diplomatic embrace - the India-US defence partnership remains affected by mistrust, mismatched expectations, and mounting delays. Why India-US defence partnership has not taken off Over the last two decades, India has procured nearly $20 billion worth of US-origin military hardware, ranging from C-17 Globemaster and C-130J aircraft to Apache helicopters and M777 howitzers. More recently, India signed agreements for 31 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, GE jet engines for fighter aircraft, and joint production of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stryker infantry vehicles. But in reality, these headlines hide a growing frustration in New Delhi. Nearly all major US-origin defence deals announced in recent years are yet to materialise. Deliveries of GE-404 jet engines, which are critical to India's indigenous Tejas fighter jet programme, have been delayed, setting the project back by at least two years. Additionally, the long-touted Indo-Pacific maritime awareness package, including the SeaVision surveillance system approved in May 2025, is yet to be delivered. Even the high-profile MQ-9B drone deal remains tangled in a web, with final assembly and maintenance arrangements still being ironed out. These delays have cast a shadow over the defence relationship, particularly when juxtaposed with India's parallel defence partnership with Russia. Despite geopolitical turbulence, India and Russia continue to co-develop and manufacture systems like the BrahMos missile and AK-203 rifles under the Make in India programme. Their long-standing cooperation is institutionalised through the Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC). US' hesitancy in providing defence equipment and India's 'Aatmanirbhar' push At the heart of the India-US defence dilemma lies a fundamental misalignment of priorities. India seeks co-development, joint production, and above all, meaningful technology transfer to boost its self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat). The US, on the other hand, largely views India as a lucrative arms market, offering equipment but rarely the underlying know-how. Even when co-production is agreed upon, the technologies involved are dated and old. The Javelin missile, developed in 1989 and inducted in 1996, and the Stryker vehicle from the early 2000s, are far from cutting-edge. While still effective, they represent a bygone era of warfare. In contrast, the future battlefield is increasingly being shaped by AI-enabled systems, autonomous drones, and electromagnetic weapons, domains where US-India collaboration has seen little progress. The contrast is not just technological but economic. A single Javelin missile costs $216,717 (roughly ₹1.9 crore), while a Ukrainian anti-tank drone capable of the same battlefield effect costs just $500 (₹43,685). For India, reliant on cost-effective solutions, the Javelin is a white elephant. What are the regulatory barriers hindering India-US defence partnership? India's quest for deeper military-technical collaboration with the US is hindered by a thicket of regulatory and legal barriers in the latter nation. US laws like the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) severely restrict technology transfers, especially for systems involving nuclear propulsion or fifth-generation fighter capabilities. Conversely, India's defence procurement system, marked by sluggish approvals, budget mismatches, and delayed offset clearances, discourages even the most well-meaning US defence firms. Structural misalignments and unresolved intellectual property concerns further hinder joint ventures. The Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), once hailed as a breakthrough framework for co-development, has largely under-delivered. India's geopolitical diplomacy a thorn in US' eyes India's insistence on strategic autonomy and refusal to enter formal alliances remains a sticking point. While Washington expects alignment in Indo-Pacific military postures, New Delhi walks a tightrope, maintaining ties with the US, Russia, and France in equal measure. This balancing act has drawn flak in Washington. India's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system exposed it to potential US sanctions under the CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) law. While the Biden administration held back, the unpredictability of US foreign policy under the Trump administration makes long-term defence planning increasingly difficult for India. What is the size of India's arms import? According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the world's largest arms importer between 2019 and 2023, accounting for 9.8 per cent of global imports. In value terms, India's arms imports in 2023 stood at $1.43 billion (in constant 1990 dollars), with Russia still being the largest supplier, although its share has declined from 76 per cent (2009–13) to 36 per cent (2019–23). France and the US have been the biggest gainers. Therefore, as Lutnick's remarks make clear, the India-US defence relationship may be moving forward, but it is still dragging its feet.
Hans India
29-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
India's Cranberry Craze: From Exotic Import to Everyday Superfruit
Bengaluru: Once regarded as a niche Western ingredient, cranberries have found a vibrant new identity in India's kitchens, wellness routines, and even social media feeds. From being an exotic health remedy tucked away on supermarket shelves to now headlining fusion biryanis, laddoos, and lassis, cranberries are swiftly becoming India's latest superfruit obsession. This growing fascination is supported by hard data. According to figures from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), India's cranberry imports have witnessed a striking rise of 52.28% over the past two financial years—climbing from 2080 metric tons in FY 2021–22 to 3166 metric tons in FY 2023–24. The surge in US-origin cranberries is even more impressive, with imports growing by 61.85% during the same period, marking the United States as a leading contributor to India's cranberry boom. Fueling this growth is a focused and strategic push by The Cranberry Institute, the body representing US cranberry growers worldwide. From trade collaborations and food festivals to influencer partnerships and chef-led innovations, the organisation has taken a dynamic approach to reposition cranberries as a daily-use, functional food ingredient rather than a once-in-a-while indulgence. 'India is a growth market for US Cranberries. We have seen tremendous demand for both dried cranberries and cranberry juice in India as more Indian consumers are discovering this amazing berry,' said Mr. Sumit Saran, In-Country Marketing Representative for The Cranberry Institute. 'Dried cranberries are not only being used as an anytime snack but also as an ingredient in various western and ethnic dishes. US cranberries are easily available both with retail dry fruit sellers and on e-commerce platforms,' he added. What began as a health-focused curiosity—primarily for urinary tract relief—has now evolved into a mainstream dietary shift. Thanks to mounting clinical evidence around their antioxidant content, gut-friendly fibre, and heart-supporting polyphenols, cranberries have emerged as a powerful dietary supplement suited to the fast-paced, health-conscious Indian lifestyle. The Indian Express rightly noted their transition from niche import to 'superfruit status.' But it isn't just the nutritional profile that's fueling their popularity. It's how seamlessly they adapt to Indian palates. The berry's sweet-tart complexity is showing up in everything from cranberry coconut laddoos to cranberry murabba. In South India, dried cranberries are being used as a creative substitute for tamarind in pulihora, adding a rich colour and a unique sour-sweet profile. In the north, they're bringing new flavour and texture to paneer tikkis. Even festive menus are giving traditional sweets a cranberry twist. The professional culinary world has taken note too. Celebrity chefs like Manish Mehrotra have been championing cranberry-based dishes such as Cranberry Bhel Puri, praising the fruit for delivering "tang, crunch, and colour" in a single bite. Across India, high-end restaurants and premium caterers are beginning to feature cranberries in creative fusion dishes, with cranberry tasting menus and limited-edition desserts making appearances at seasonal food events. Social media has played no small role in this transformation. The #CranberryLife has found its way into thousands of reels and posts across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Influencers are showcasing everything from cranberry cocktails to meal-prepped biryanis, while nutritionists are demystifying their benefits in easy-to-understand formats. This visual, community-driven appeal is helping cranberries carve a niche in India's evolving food identity. The shift is especially pronounced among millennial and Gen Z consumers, who are actively seeking out nutrient-dense, clean-label ingredients. In urban kitchens, dried cranberries now find their place alongside chia seeds and quinoa—sprinkled into smoothie bowls, protein oats, and trail mixes. As per data from Coherent Market Insights, the dried cranberry market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10–15% between 2025 and 2032, an indicator of the fruit's staying power beyond trend cycles. As summer temperatures soar, cranberries are also becoming a refreshing staple in Indian households. Recipes such as cranberry chutney, cranberry lassi, and cranberry-spiked salads are offering a cool, tangy reprieve while ticking all the boxes for health and taste. From nutritional value to culinary versatility and rising consumer awareness, cranberries are no longer a foreign novelty. Backed by strategic promotion from The Cranberry Institute and strong demand signals from Indian consumers, the berry has planted firm roots in the Indian foodscape. The cranberry isn't just a trend—it's a testament to how global ingredients can thrive when they speak the language of local taste and wellness.
Asia Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Asia Times
Sugon, its suppliers hit by US sanctions, to merge with Hygon
Sugon, also known as Dawning Information, a state-owned computing server maker in China, will be acquired by its subsidiary Hygon Information Technology to deal with the inability of its suppliers to source US chips due to sanctions. Hygon, a Shanghai-listed fabless chipmaker, has a market cap of 316 billion yuan (US$44 billion) while Sugon has a market cap of 90.6 billion yuan. 'At present, the development of China's information technology industry represented by artificial intelligence (AI) is in a complex situation where opportunities and challenges coexist,' Hygon's executives told the media in the company's first quarter result announcement briefing on Monday. 'Considering the current capital market policies and development needs, the two parties (Hygon and Sugon) decided to merge through a share swap.' The executives said the reorganization is conducive to the coordinated development of both parties, reducing costs and increasing efficiency, consolidating and expanding the two companies' market share in the domestic computing power industry. The decision came after the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) added 80 entities, mainly in China, to its Entity List on March 25. Twelve companies were accused of developing advanced AI, supercomputers, and high-performance AI chips for China-based end-users with close ties to the country's military-industrial complex. Sugon's key suppliers or business partners, including Henan Dingxin Information Industry Co Ltd, Nettrix Information Industry Co Ltd, Suma Technology Co Ltd, and Suma-USI Electronics Co Ltd, are among those sanctioned. 'These entities have provided significant manufacturing capabilities to Sugon, a Chinese high-performance computing server manufacturer added to the Entity List in 2019 for building supercomputers used by military end users and supporting China's destabilizing military modernization efforts,' said the BIS. The BIS also sanctioned six subsidiaries of Inspur Group, another major computing server maker in China, which was added to the Entity List in March 2023. The BIS accused them of contributing to Inspur's development of supercomputers for military end use, particularly by acquiring or attempting to acquire US-origin items supporting supercomputer projects for the Chinese government or military. In June 2019, the BIS sanctioned Sugon and Hygon and their senior executives due to their connection with the People's Liberation Army. In December of the same year, Sugon spun off a 200-strong team to set up Nettrix, which then took up Sugon's role of supplying sanctioned Chinese companies and institutions with computers that used Intel and Nvidia chips and Microsoft software. In August 2024, the New York Times exposed this loophole. A follow-up report by Asia Times showed how Sugon's Vice President Qin Xiaoning founded Nettrix and received her rewards in Hygon's 2022 public listing. Sugon said on May 15 this year that it adjusted its business structure in the third quarter of 2024 by selling more high-end components and fewer low-profit servers. It said its revenue fell 22.6% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, and gross profits of its core business decreased 4.7%. The company said it would focus on high-end computing parts and solutions businesses and form an ecosystem with Hygon and other associate companies to sell chips, servers, cloud services, and AI computing power. In the first quarter of this year, the company's revenue surged 4.3% year-on-year to 2.59 billion, and its net profit rose 30.8% to 186 million yuan. However, the BIS sanctioned Nettrix in March this year. In April, the Trump administration told Nvidia that it would need a license to export its H20 chips or similar products to China. Although Sugon can no longer source Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs), it can use Hygon's deep computing units (DCUs) or general-purpose GPUs (GPGPUs). The most potent Hygon DCU model is the Z100, which was developed with open-source software called ROCm. A Chinese technology columnist said the performance of Z100 is about 25-55% of that of Nvidia's A800. A Tianjin-based columnist using the pseudonym 'Little Fish' says in an article that the vertical integration of Hygon (chips) and Sugon (servers) is a good idea as they can rely on each other's strengths. However, he also points out that Sugon would lose competitiveness over the long run if Hygon's chips could not catch up with other players. On May 13, the US released a guideline warning worldwide companies not to use Huawei Technologies' Ascend chips. Some analysts expect the supply of Ascend AI chips in the Chinese markets to surge, leaving less room for Sugon and Hygon to grow. Read: Sugon spin-off helps China evade US chip bans
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
US aims to boost defence and technology cooperation with Malaysia
LANGKAWI: The United States (US) is ready to support Malaysia's ambition to develop a more self-sufficient defence industry, viewing it as crucial to the country's sovereignty. US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan said the US is willing to assist Malaysia's homegrown defence capabilities through technology, partnerships and longstanding military cooperation. "We want Malaysia to have as much capacity as possible to ensure its own security and defend its sovereignty. Whatever promotes that is very much in our interest. "We believe that US companies, technology, and partnerships can be helpful for what Malaysia is trying to achieve. There's a long history of working together, and in general, the Malaysian military has been quite satisfied with US platforms. "It's also worth noting that US-origin equipment remains among the most reliable and easiest to maintain in Malaysia's inventory. We see that as a sign there's room to do more, and we hope Malaysia continues to see the US as a key partner," he told the New Straits Times during an interview at the sidelines of Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima '25). Kagan also acknowledged the complexity of defence procurement decisions but stressed the urgency of boosting Malaysia's capacity in light of "a very changing and concerning threat environment," including increasing encroachments into Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and territorial waters. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday said that while Southeast Asia remains peaceful and economically vibrant, countries must not take security for granted. Speaking at the Lima'25 reception dinner, Anwar stressed the need for preparedness and adaptability to shifting geopolitical and industrial landscapes, describing LIMA as a strategic platform to forge long-term partnerships. Touching on Lima '25, Kagan the event offered a useful platform for engagement, the US-Malaysia defence relationship extended far beyond it. "Even if Lima didn't exist, we would still have an incredibly broad and deep level of security cooperation. But we are happy to support Malaysia's aspirations and use Lima to demonstrate our commitment," he said. This support, Kagan said, can be seen through the US' strong presence at Lima '25, with static displays of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, the F/A-18E Super Hornets and a flypast of fighter jets from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier. He also expressed confidence in Malaysia's key role as an anchor of regional stability. "Malaysia plays a very critical role as a maritime nation, as a country that borders both the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, which are both extraordinarily important as zones for free navigation and commerce. "And so Malaysia's position and how Malaysia handles its position is extraordinarily important. We believe that it is very much in everyone's interest for countries to make clear our commitment to respect for the UN Convention and Law of the Sea, including the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision, and the importance of unfettered freedom of navigation and overflight in the region and a rejection of unilateral and unsubstantiated claims," he said.
