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As a reminder, US president Trump is scheduled to make a visit to China from 31 March to 2 April. Beijing has not officially confirmed the dates but it seems like the visit will still take place regardless. After all, it's now a case of Trump needing to do so or risk losing face. That especially after the US Supreme Court shot down his tariffs, which now gives China more leverage on their end.

Top officials from both sides met in Paris over the weekend, with reports suggesting that talks were "remarkably stable" and that they were "candid and constructive".

With Trump and Xi set to meet for the first time since October last year, both sides will want to lay out more "progress" on both trade and economic ties surely. But as mentioned before,…

But no one will answer.

In a desperate attempt to try and "fix" this whole mess of a situation, US president Trump has called for allies to step in and help with the Strait of Hormuz de facto closure. His suggestion is for the countries affected to send their own warships to help escort ships through the strait.

In particular, he calls on Japan, China, South Korea, and the UK to do so since they are the ones who are the most impacted by the Strait of Hormuz blockade. However, here are two key reasons why that just won't do. And even so, the practicality of the whole situation also might not make much sense.

The first being that no other country wants to get involved in a war that they have no business with. It's wild to think that Trump…

But no one will answer.

In a desperate attempt to try and "fix" this whole mess of a situation, US president Trump has called for allies to step in and help with the Strait of Hormuz de facto closure. His suggestion is for the countries affected to send their own warships to help escort ships through the strait.

In particular, he calls on Japan, China, South Korea, and the UK to do so since they are the ones who are the most impacted by the Strait of Hormuz blockade. However, here are two key reasons why that just won't do. And even so, the practicality of the whole situation also might not make much sense.

The first being that no other country wants to get involved in a war that they have no business with. It's wild to think that Trump…

• US strikes on targets at Iran’s Kharg Island have raised fears of a wider escalation
• China says economy off to solid start but demand remains weak
• Trump is weighing a seizure of Iran's critical oil depot on Kharg Island
• China industrial output beats forecasts as property slump deepens
• Strait of Hormuz ship traffic collapses to zero amid conflict, energy corridor shuts
• Chinese house price slump continues: -3.2% y/y in February (-3.1% prior)
• PBOC sets USD/ CNY reference rate for today at 6.9057 (vs. estimate at 6.9061)
• Global equity funds see largest outflows since December
• Japan warns ready to take decisive action on FX - ramps up verbal intervention on yen
• Oil lower to fill gap as Trump presses allies for Hormuz help
• Reserve Bank of New Zealand…

Summary:

• China’s statistics bureau said the economy has made a “sound start” to 2026.

• Industrial output and retail sales beat expectations earlier in the day.

• Officials cited technological innovation and AI as supporting growth.

• Authorities warned the economy still faces “strong supply, weak demand.”

• Consumption is expected to rise as policy support measures take effect.

• The government may need additional steps to strengthen demand.

• China said its energy supply capacity is sufficient despite global volatility.

Chinese officials said the economy has started the year on a relatively solid footing but acknowledged that weak domestic demand remains a key challenge despite stronger industrial activity.

Speaking after the release of China’s latest…

China’s industrial output, retail sales and investment beat expectations early in 2026, but the property sector remained deeply in contraction.

Summary:

• China’s industrial output rose 6.3% y/y, beating forecasts of 5.0% and accelerating from December’s 5.2%.

• Retail sales increased 2.8% y/y, above the 2.5% forecast and up from December’s 0.9%.

• Fixed-asset investment rose 1.8% y/y versus expectations for a 2.1% decline.

• Infrastructure investment surged 11.4% y/y.

• Private-sector investment fell 2.6% y/y.

• Property investment dropped 11.1% y/y after a 17.2% decline in 2025.

• Property sales fell 13.5%, construction starts slid 23.1%, and developer funding dropped 16.5%.

China’s economic activity showed mixed momentum at the start of 2026, with industrial…

China New Home Prices February 2026

• -0.28% m/m (prior -0.37%)
• -3.2% y/y (prior -3.1%

Used Home Prices

• -0.43% m/m (prior –0.54%)

Still to come:

U.S. and Chinese officials held what 'sources' described as constructive talks in Paris to stabilise trade ties ahead of a planned Trump–Xi summit in Beijing.

Summary:

• U.S. and Chinese officials held “candid and constructive” trade talks in Paris.

• Discussions focused on stabilising the bilateral trade relationship.

• China may consider increasing purchases of U.S. agricultural products.

• U.S. officials pushed for more Chinese imports of Boeing aircraft and energy products.

• Rare earth supply challenges facing American firms were also discussed.

• Proposals for managed trade and investment frameworks were explored.

• Technical negotiations will continue ahead of a planned Trump–Xi summit in Beijing.

U.S. and Chinese officials have held what sources…

New Zealand electronic card retail spending rose in February from the previous month.

The electronic card data covers around 68% of core retail sales and serves as the country’s primary monthly gauge of retail activity.

Earlier:

• New Zealand services sector falls back into contraction in February

New Zealand electronic card retail spending rose in February from the previous month.

The electronic card data covers around 68% of core retail sales and serves as the country’s primary monthly gauge of retail activity.

Earlier:

• New Zealand services sector falls back into contraction in February

New Zealand’s services sector slipped back into contraction in February, signalling a slower-than-expected economic recovery.

Summary:

• New Zealand’s services sector returned to contraction in February.

• The BNZ–BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index fell to 48.0 from January’s 50.7 level.

• The reading sits well below the long-run survey average of 52.8.

• All major sub-indices were in contraction territory.

• Stocks/inventories and employment recorded the weakest readings.

• Businesses cited high living costs, interest rates and weak demand as key pressures.

• Economists say the data suggests the economic recovery is slower than expected.

New Zealand’s services sector slipped back into contraction in February, signalling that the country’s economic…

Chinese military aircraft activity near Taiwan has surged again after an unusual two-week lull that had prompted speculation about Beijing’s intentions.

Info via Politico.

Summary:

• Taiwan detected 26 Chinese military aircraft near the island on Saturday.

• Sixteen aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone across multiple sectors.

• Seven Chinese naval vessels were also operating near the island.

• The surge follows an unusual two-week lull in Chinese military flights.

• Analysts had speculated the drop was linked to China’s National People’s Congress meeting.

• Others suggested Beijing may have sought to ease tensions before a potential Trump visit to China.

• Taiwan says it did not adjust its defence posture during the slowdown.

Taiwan has…