China is rapidly overhauling a network of secret facilities used to manufacture warhead components as it expands its nuclear stockpile faster than any other country, according to an analysis of satellite imagery.

The U.S. Trade Representative said tariffs on Chinese semiconductors, now at zero, are set to increase in June 2027.

BEIJING -- Beijing imposed sanctions on Friday against 20 U.S. defense-related companies and 10 executives, a week after Washington annoucned large-scale arms sales to Taiwan. The sanctions entail freezing the companies’ assets in China and banning individuals and organizations from dealing with them, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

LandSpace's focus on giving China its own low-cost launch option similar to SpaceX's flight-proven reusable rocket Falcon 9 will play a key role in Beijing's plans to build up 10,000 satellite constellations in the coming decades.

The Cook Islands—population 15,000—are being courted by the two superpowers as they hunt for rare earths, and could stand to reap a windfall.

Dozens of lawmakers foresee a surge in tensions over trade, Taiwan or supply chain disruptions possibly scuttling the current pause in US-China economic hostilities.

China pledged on Friday to double down on upgrading its manufacturing base and promised capital to fund efforts targeting technological breakthroughs, after its industrial sector delivered an underwhelming performance this year.

China’s industrial profits fell for a second month in November, adding to signs that weakening domestic demand and persistent deflation are weighing on corporate earnings.

But Tesla’s sales in the coming quarter are expected to fall to 449,000, according to a FactSet analysis consensus. That would give Tesla about 1.65 million sales for all of 2025, a drop of 7.7 per cent and well below the level BYD had attained by the end of November.