Events Email Briefings
rotating globe
Privacy© 2026 Semafor Inc.
  • D.C.
  • BXL
  • Lagos
  • Riyadh
  • Beijing
  • SG
Events Email Briefings

Intelligence for the New World Economy

  • D.C.
  • BXL
  • Lagos
Semafor Logo
  • Riyadh
  • Beijing
  • SG
rotating globe
Intelligence for the New World Economy
Semafor World Economy
Katherine Li

Katherine Li

Newsroom Fellow

Email Kate@https://x.com/Katherineli_

Katherine Li a newsroom fellow at Semafor, focusing on the Flagship Asia Morning Edition Newsletter and breaking news. She has previously been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, The Lever, and more. She is from Hong Kong and is a graduate of the UC Berkeley school of journalism.

US crackdown leads Chinese firms to set their sights overseas

As President-elect Donald Trump’s tariffs loom over China’s flagging economy, companies are ramping up research and investment elsewhere.
Automaker BYD’s new EV factory construction site in Camacari, Brazil.
BYD’s new EV construction site in Brazil. Joa Souza/Reuters.

Xi Jinping’s visit to Macau underscores deference to Beijing after 25 years under Chinese control

The Chinese president’s trip is widely seen as bolstering the island’s first mainland-born chief executive.
Xi Jinping lands in Macau and makes an address, flanked by officials of Macau.
Eduardo Leal/Reuters

Beijing urges Chinese schools to prioritize teaching AI amid US tech trade war

Lawmakers want more primary and secondary schools to teach the cutting-edge tech to boost the domestic talent pool.
Xi Jinping visiting a school in China.
Xi Jinping visiting a school in China. International Department, Central Committee of CCP

China eyes major economic shifts for 2025

In the face of global and domestic pressures, Chinese policymakers are considering how far they are willing to go to reach growth targets.
A giant screen in Beijing shows Xi Jinping attending a Politboro meeting
Tingshu Wang/Reuters

South Korean president survives impeachment bid as country braces for prolonged turmoil

The country’s ruling party could seek to negotiate President Yoon Suk Yeol’s resignation in an attempt to stem the fallout.
Protesters take part in a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Seoul.
Kim Soo-Hyeon/Reuters

European firms see declining business prospects in China

Surveys of German and UK firms in China indicated low confidence in the future of their investments in the country, with little hope of improvement on the horizon.
Clas Neumann, Chairperson of the German Chamber of Commerce in East China.
Clas Neumann, Chairperson of the German Chamber of Commerce in East China. Xihao Jiang/Reuters

Taiwan leader stops in US after weapons sale, drawing China’s ire

Beijing vowed a “resolute” response to the $385 million deal and condemned President Lai Ching-te’s visit to Hawaii.

Beijing renews crackdown on Chinese tech companies’ use of algorithms

Beijing said the measures are designed to protect vulnerable social groups from targeted manipulation and advertising.

China’s Singles Day shopping festival underscores broader spending trends

This year’s event is expected to see slightly higher sales than in 2023, with consumers opting to spend more on practical, value-for-money purchases.

Justice Department reportedly set to wind down federal cases against Donald Trump

The president-elect faced federal charges over his alleged role in Jan. 6 and for allegedly withholding classified material.

Top Chinese lawmakers meet to discuss long-awaited stimulus, but economists remain pessimistic

While some investors hope for a fiscal stimulus package large enough to raise consumer confidence, many analysts expect a let down.

Europe and China’s EV trade war is starting to escalate

Beijing told Chinese automakers to stop investing in European countries that supported higher duties on Chinese EVs after the bloc voted to increase tariffs.

EU finalizes high tariffs on Chinese EVs after talks stall

The decision could trigger retaliatory duties on European imports to China, but any new hikes could be delayed until after Nov. 5, analysts said.

Iran mulls retaliation following Israel strikes

Israel’s attack dealt a blow to the Iranian regime, but some analysts fear the move could accelerate Tehran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Hurricane Oscar heads for Cuba as millions remain without power

Scientists fear the storm could create a “humanitarian crisis” on the beleaguered island.

Elite French university Sciences Po revives mandatory entrance test

The university promised that the new test will not be a return to its old format, which was criticized as being discriminatory.

North Korea projects military strength as risk of new Korean war seem ‘higher than ever’

Pyongyang’s deepened relationship with Russia and China may embolden it to confront the South.

UK foreign secretary to visit China, signaling broader diplomatic shift

The planned visit comes as China and the European Union remain at odds over electric vehicle imports.