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Saudi ACWA Power Signs Power Purchase, Investment Agreements for Wind Plant in Uzbekistan

The Saudi Minister of Investment and his Uzbek counterpart attend the signing of power purchase agreements and investment agreements to develop the Kungrad wind farm. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Investment and his Uzbek counterpart attend the signing of power purchase agreements and investment agreements to develop the Kungrad wind farm. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi ACWA Power Signs Power Purchase, Investment Agreements for Wind Plant in Uzbekistan

The Saudi Minister of Investment and his Uzbek counterpart attend the signing of power purchase agreements and investment agreements to develop the Kungrad wind farm. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Investment and his Uzbek counterpart attend the signing of power purchase agreements and investment agreements to develop the Kungrad wind farm. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power has signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) and investment agreements (IAs) with Uzbekistan’s government to develop the 1.5GW Kungrad wind farm, formerly referred to as the Karakalpakstan Wind Independent Power Producer (IPP).

The wind farm shall comprise three 500MW wind power projects owned by three subsidiaries, namely ACWA Power Kungrad Wind 1, ACWA Power Kungrad Wind 2 and ACWA Power Kungrad Wind 3.

Each of the three projects will also incorporate a 100MW capacity battery energy storage system.

Regarded as the largest single-site wind farm in Central Asia to date, and one of the largest of its kind in the world, the wind farm is expected to reach an investment value of $2.4 billion.

Located in Kungrad district in Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan, the wind farm is expected to offset 2.4 million tons of carbon emissions per year. It will have minimum environmental impact due to the utilization of the latest mitigation technologies, including bird detecting technology, that combines cutting edge technology in both image sensors and software to prevent bird collision or fatality.

Uzbekistan’s Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov said: “It is my great pleasure to share an update on the progress of the Kungrad project.”

He affirmed that Uzbekistan is committed to delivering on policy goals to increase the renewable energy share of the country’s energy mix and reduce carbon emissions.

He underlined the country’s keenness to develop green energy and market reform.

Mirzamakhmudov pointed out that the Kungrad project is a milestone for the country’s wind industry and the new public-private partnership model, introduced by the far-sighted reforms of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The wind farm in Karakalpakstan, which will be built by Uzbekistan’s reliable partner ACWA Power, will be another pillar of a sustainable and reliable energy system in Uzbekistan, the minister added.

The Kungrad wind farm will bolster the Uzbek government’s long-term strategy to diversify the country’s energy mix, which targets 8GW and 12GW of solar and wind capacity by 2026 and 2030, respectively.

“We are deeply honored to build upon our close partnership with the Republic of Uzbekistan as the nation continues to advance its decarbonization efforts, pursuing a strong shift towards renewable energy,” said ACWA Power Chairman Mohammad Abunayyan.

“The signing of key agreements for the landmark Kungrad wind farm project, which will set a new benchmark for sustainable energy development in the region, and the world, would have not been possible without the guidance of our visionary leadership and the trust and commitment of our partners from the Uzbek government.”

The project is expected to achieve financial close by 2024 and will be fully commissioned in 2027. When complete, the facility is expected to power 1.65 million households.

Caption: The Saudi Minister of Investment and his Uzbek counterpart attend the signing of power purchase agreements and investment agreements to develop the Kungrad wind farm. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

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Business

Unemployment Down, Number of Women up in Saudi Labor Market in 2023

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Getty Images)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Getty Images)
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Unemployment Down, Number of Women up in Saudi Labor Market in 2023

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Getty Images)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Getty Images)

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development unveiled a series of impressive achievements in the pursuit of a more efficient and effective labor market.

The achievements align with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and show that priority was given to achieve several key goals: protect workers’ rights, ensure safe and healthy workplaces, nurture national talent, and achieve a sustainable balance in the labor market. To achieve these goals, the ministry has in place appropriate laws and regulations, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.

The year 2023 witnessed significant progress. Over 1,000 government employees received training at international agencies, which helped improve their work effectiveness. The job engagement index for civil servants surpassed the 2022 target, reflecting a more engaged public sector workforce.

The National Training Campaign (Waad) incentivized the private sector to train workers, with over 16,000 trainees benefiting in various sectors. The skills accelerator program focused on boosting the efficiency of Saudi employees in the private sector, targeting industries with the greatest impact on the national economy.

More than 10,000 individuals benefitted from programs fostering self-employment and specialized skills development. Over 500 people with disabilities were integrated into the workforce in 2023, encouraging them to participate in and contribute to the economy.

The launch of a comprehensive program for reporting work-related accidents underlines the ministry's commitment to workers’ well-being.

The "On Time" campaign has been promoting timely wage payment, with over 700,000 establishments complying with the wage protection system for more than nine million private sector employees.

The ministry's efforts have yielded significant results. The unemployment rate dropped from 12.8% in 2017 to 8.6% in the third quarter of 2023. Working conditions for expatriate workers saw a 73% improvement in 2023 compared to 2020.

The percentage of establishments implementing safety and health measures soared from a mere 15% in 2019 to 71.27% in 2023. Compliance with the wage protection system rose significantly, from 50% in 2017 to 86.9% in the third quarter of 2023.

The percentage of employed individuals with disabilities increased from 7.7% in 2016 to 12.6% in the first half of 2024.

The ministry actively supports working women through dedicated programs. The Wusool transportation program has provided transportation to 234,344 women employed in the private sector.

The Qurrah program, establishing centers for children of working women, has enabled 26,363 women to access childcare services through accredited centers.

Over 25,000 women trainees participated in programs designed to equip them with the skills needed to thrive in the job market.

These initiatives have demonstrably increased women’s participation in the labor market. By the third quarter of 2023, the share of women in the labor market has risen to 34.2%, compared to just 21.2% in 2017. Moreover, the number of women in senior and middle management positions has also seen a significant rise, jumping from 28.6% in 2017 to 43.7% by the third quarter of 2023.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s commitment to a more efficient and inclusive labor market is fostering positive change in Saudi Arabia. As these efforts continue, they are expected to have an even greater impact on the Kingdom's workforce and overall economic progress.

Business

Chinese Companies Win More Bids to Explore for Iraq Oil and Gas

A representative of a foreign oil and gas company walks to drop his contract documents in the box during a ceremony of sixth licensing round for oil and gas projects at the Iraqi ministry of oil in Baghdad, Iraq, 11 May 2024. (EPA)
A representative of a foreign oil and gas company walks to drop his contract documents in the box during a ceremony of sixth licensing round for oil and gas projects at the Iraqi ministry of oil in Baghdad, Iraq, 11 May 2024. (EPA)
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Chinese Companies Win More Bids to Explore for Iraq Oil and Gas

A representative of a foreign oil and gas company walks to drop his contract documents in the box during a ceremony of sixth licensing round for oil and gas projects at the Iraqi ministry of oil in Baghdad, Iraq, 11 May 2024. (EPA)
A representative of a foreign oil and gas company walks to drop his contract documents in the box during a ceremony of sixth licensing round for oil and gas projects at the Iraqi ministry of oil in Baghdad, Iraq, 11 May 2024. (EPA)

Chinese companies won four bids to explore Iraqi oil and gas fields, Iraq's oil minister said on Sunday as the Middle Eastern country's hydrocarbon exploration licensing round continued into its second day.

The oil and gas licenses for 29 projects are mainly aimed at ramping up output for domestic use, with more than 20 companies pre-qualifying, including European, Chinese, Arab and Iraqi groups.

Chinese companies have been the only foreign players to win bids, taking nine oil and gas fields since Saturday, while Iraqi Kurdish company KAR Group took two.

There were notably no US oil majors involved, even after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met representatives of US companies on an official visit to the United States last month.

China's CNOOC Iraq won a bid to develop Iraq's Block 7 for oil exploration that extends across the country's central and southern provinces of Diwaniya, Babil, Najaf, Wasit and Muthanna, said oil minister Hayan Abdul Ghani.

ZhenHua, Anton Oilfield Services and Sinopec won bids to develop the Abu Khaymah oilfield in Muthanna, the Dhufriya field in Wasit and the Summer field in Muthanna respectively, the minister said.

Iraq's main goal with its sixth licensing round was to increase gas output that it wants to use to fire power plants that rely heavily on gas imported from Iran.

However, no bids were made on at least two fields with large gas potential, potentially undermining those efforts.

Iraq, OPEC's second-largest oil producer behind Saudi Arabia, has been hampered in its oil sector development by contract terms viewed as unfavorable by many major oil companies as well as recurring military conflict and growing investor focus on environmental, social and governance criteria.

Business

Riyadh Explores Agricultural Investment Opportunities in Africa

The Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture during his visit to Nigeria. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture during his visit to Nigeria. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh Explores Agricultural Investment Opportunities in Africa

The Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture during his visit to Nigeria. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture during his visit to Nigeria. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia recently concluded agreements with a number of African countries with the aim to achieve sustainable agricultural development and promote food security.

The moves come at a time when global grain supplies are expected to be lower next season, paving the way for higher agricultural commodity prices, while economies are still suffering from deep-rooted inflation, according to US outlooks.

Saudi-African relations have witnessed remarkable development during the recent period. The Kingdom and several African countries have agreed to support and develop joint bilateral relations in all fields, especially the agricultural sector.

At the end of 2023, the Kingdom hosted the Saudi-African Summit to boost joint cooperation and mutual strategic partnership.

Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdul Rahman Al-Fadhli carried out last week a visit to Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Ghana where he explored future investment opportunities and prospects for cooperation.

Al-Fadhli agreed with Senegalese Prime Minister Ousman Sonko to strengthen and develop bilateral relations in the fields of agriculture, food security, fisheries and livestock.

He also discussed with Ivorian Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani aspects of joint cooperation in the fields of agricultural investment, livestock and food security to bolster future investment opportunities.

The Saudi minister held an extensive meeting with representatives of the Ivorian private sector to learn about the most prominent companies and their products, in addition to identifying agricultural investment opportunities that benefit both countries.

In addition, Al-Fadhli reviewed with Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari investment opportunities in the sector, and means to increase the prospects for joint trade and economic cooperation.

The meeting discussed aspects of joint cooperation between the two countries in all fields, with a focus on enhancing mutual work in agriculture and food security, and reviewing the available investment opportunities, taking advantage of their natural wealth, including the vast area and rich natural diversity, in addition to agricultural resources and food products.

Ghana was the last leg in the African tour, where Al-Fadhli discussed aspects of joint cooperation with Minister of Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong and reviewed investment opportunities in the field of agriculture, livestock, and food manufacturing.

The officials agreed to facilitate the work of investors to achieve common interests and increase the volume of economic partnerships.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Economic and Academic Analyst at King Faisal University, Dr. Mohammad Al-Qahtani said a number of African states, including, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast, are witnessing remarkable economic growth.

This has encouraged Saudi authorities to strengthen bilateral cooperation with them and to benefit from the Kingdom’s strategic location that forms a bridge between three continents and plays a major role in the global logistics process, he underlined.

Al-Qahtani added that Saudi Arabia will act as a logistical gateway to the most important African countries, stressing the importance of increasing investments in agriculture, especially strategic commodities, such as cocoa and coffee, which will boost exports and the global trade movement.

He stated that the Kingdom has great research expertise in the field of agriculture and food, expecting that it will harness agricultural research centers to explore new crops that will help African countries and the region achieve food security.

Saudi Arabia is taking advantage of its strategic location through its many ports by investing in the process of digitization and logistical intelligence, which makes it at the top of the global competition to connect the East and the West, the analyst remarked.

Business development advisor and academic Dr. Saleh Al-Turki explained that the recent tour conducted by Minister Al-Fadhli is an important step to benefit from the agreements concluded by Saudi Arabia with some African states that participated in the African Summit at the end of 2023.

He added that the agreements concluded during the visit will help in achieving sustainable agricultural development in Saudi Arabia.

Many Saudi companies and institutions specialized in the field of food security will benefit from these partnerships, Al-Turki stressed, pointing to the important role of scientific research and training in national universities, such as King Faisal University, in supervising food security programs.

Business

Saudi Arabia, UK Boost Strategic Partnership Digital Govt. Sector

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Saudi Arabia, UK Boost Strategic Partnership Digital Govt. Sector

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

Saudi Governor of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Suwaiyan, concluded his visit to the United Kingdom, during which he met with several leaders and officials from both the public and private sectors.

The meetings eyed to enhance cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the UK in the field of the digital economy.
During the visit, the Governor participated in the Annual 21st Middle East and North Africa Conference, where he delivered a keynote speech showcasing Saudi Arabia's leading model in digital transformation. He highlighted the Kingdom's best practices and success stories in the field of digital government, with the aim of leveraging experiences in this promising domain, SPA reported.
Eng. Al-Suwaiyan also held meetings with the Parliamentary Secretary for the British Cabinet Office, Alex Burghart; the British Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, Julia Lopez; and the Minister for Technology and the Digital Economy, Saqib Bhatti, along with several officials from governmental bodies and CEOs of major companies. The meetings discussed means of expanding the strategic partnership in the field of digital government between the two countries.

Business

China's Economy Signals Demand Recovery

Most China watchers say Beijing still has its work cut out - Photo by EPA
Most China watchers say Beijing still has its work cut out - Photo by EPA
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China's Economy Signals Demand Recovery

Most China watchers say Beijing still has its work cut out - Photo by EPA
Most China watchers say Beijing still has its work cut out - Photo by EPA

China's consumer prices rose for a third straight month in April, while producer prices extended declines, signalling an improvement in domestic demand, as Beijing navigates challenges in its bid to shore up a shaky economy.

The closely watched numbers follow better-than-expected imports data for April, suggesting a flurry of policy support measures over the past several months may be helping consumer confidence.

Consumer prices edged up 0.3% in April from a year earlier, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Saturday, versus a rise of 0.1% in March and a Reuters poll forecast for an increase of 0.2%.

"Strip out food and energy prices, and the consumer inflation data suggests a comeback in demand, especially in services," said Xu Tianchen, senior economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit, Reuters reported.

Core inflation, excluding volatile food and fuel prices, grew 0.7% in April, up from 0.6% in March.

Overall the consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.1% from the previous month, beating a forecast fall of 0.1% in the poll and reversing a drop of 1% in March.

Most China watchers say Beijing still has its work cut out, though, and the momentum might prove unsustainable, as official surveys show cooling factory and services activity, while a lengthy housing crisis shows no sign of easing, boosting the case for more policy support.

"Price hikes by utility companies is another potential driver," Xu added.

"The fiscal strains some local governments are facing affect the subsidies they receive, which could be forcing them to pass the extra cost on to households to make ends meet."

Officials are grappling with municipal debt of $13 trillion, and the State Council, or cabinet, has told heavily indebted local governments to delay or halt some state-funded infrastructure projects.

"The prices data suggests that domestic demand is recovering, supply and demand continues to improve and the outlook for domestic demand and price recovery is optimistic," said Zhou Maohua, a macroeconomic researcher at China Everbright Bank.

"However, consumer prices remain low and the industrial manufacturing sector is still under pressure, reflecting insufficient effective demand and that recovery in the sector is still not sufficiently balanced."

The producer price index (PPI) dropped 2.5% in April from a year earlier, easing from a slide of 2.8% the previous month but extending a 1-1/2-year-long stretch of declines.

On Friday, China's central bank said it would make monetary policy flexible, precise and effective and promote a moderate recovery in consumer prices to consolidate economic recovery.

The comments in a quarterly monetary policy report follow remarks in April by the Politburo, a top-decision making body of the ruling Communist Party, that China will use policy tools, such as banks' reserve requirement ratio (RRR) and interest rates, to prop up growth.

"Considering the judgement of the Politburo meeting that 'effective demand is still insufficient...' the policy support should take advantage of the momentum, by strengthening expectation management and creating more consumption scenarios," said Bruce Pang, chief economist China at Jones Lang LaSalle.

Many analysts say China's economic growth target of about 5% in 2024 will be a challenge to achieve without further policy support.

Business

Saudi Arabia, Ghana Strengthen Collaboration in Agriculture, Food Security

Alfadley's tour of Africa included visits to Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Ghana - SPA
Alfadley's tour of Africa included visits to Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Ghana - SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Ghana Strengthen Collaboration in Agriculture, Food Security

Alfadley's tour of Africa included visits to Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Ghana - SPA
Alfadley's tour of Africa included visits to Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Ghana - SPA

Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Alfadley and Minister of Food and Agriculture of Ghana Dr. Bryan Acheampong reached an agreement during Alfadley's tour of Africa, strengthening relations and increasing investment opportunities in agriculture, food security, fisheries, and livestock.
The two officials agreed to work together to ease the process of investing in their countries, to serve the common interest, and expand the scope of economic partnership, SPA reported.
Alfadley's tour of Africa included visits to Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Ghana, and is part of efforts to implement the outcomes of the recent Saudi-African Summit.
The tour aims to strengthen ties and collaboration between Saudi Arabia and African states.

Business

Iraq Launches Oil, Gas Licensing Round for 29 Projects

FILE PHOTO: Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani speaks during a press conference at Iraq's Majnoon oil field near Basra, Iraq, May 12, 2023. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani speaks during a press conference at Iraq's Majnoon oil field near Basra, Iraq, May 12, 2023. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo
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Iraq Launches Oil, Gas Licensing Round for 29 Projects

FILE PHOTO: Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani speaks during a press conference at Iraq's Majnoon oil field near Basra, Iraq, May 12, 2023. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani speaks during a press conference at Iraq's Majnoon oil field near Basra, Iraq, May 12, 2023. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/File Photo

Iraq is holding an oil and gas licensing round for 29 projects in a bid to develop its huge gas reservoirs to help power the country and lure billions of dollars in investments.
The exploration blocks are spread across 12 governorates in mostly central and southern Iraq and for the first time include an offshore exploration block in Iraq's Arab Gulf waters.
Iraq last held a licensing round, its fifth, in 2018, Reuters reported.
Saturday's "fifth plus" licensing round includes many projects left over from that round plus a new sixth round with 14 projects, Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani said in opening remarks.
More than 20 companies pre-qualified for Saturday's round, including European, Chinese, Arab and Iraqi groups but no US oil majors.
Iraq's oil production capacity has grown from 3 million to around 5 million barrels per day (bpd) in recent years, but the departure of giants such as Exxon Mobil Corp and Royal Dutch Shell Plc from a number of projects due to poor returns means future growth is uncertain.
Developments have also slowed due to growing investor focus on environmental, social and governance criteria.

Business

Saudi Tourism Secures Over 40 New Partnerships at Arabian Travel Market

STA secured over 40 agreements, including collaborations with Flyadeal, Noon, and China i2i Group - SPA
STA secured over 40 agreements, including collaborations with Flyadeal, Noon, and China i2i Group - SPA
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Saudi Tourism Secures Over 40 New Partnerships at Arabian Travel Market

STA secured over 40 agreements, including collaborations with Flyadeal, Noon, and China i2i Group - SPA
STA secured over 40 agreements, including collaborations with Flyadeal, Noon, and China i2i Group - SPA

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) celebrated its participation at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) this week, signing major new agreements with trade partners and successfully showcasing unique summer destinations and products, SPA reported.

STA secured over 40 agreements, including collaborations with Flyadeal, Noon, and China i2i Group as well as major strategic partnerships with Saudia and Riyadh Air. These collaborations mark a new stage of growth for the Kingdom and will boost the country’s tourism sector and solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global tourism destination with unique year-round experiences for visitors.
The Saudi delegation was led by STA chief executive and board member Fahd Hamidaddin, who was joined by over 70 Saudi tourism ecosystem leaders and key partners including destination management companies, hotels, and airlines.
“As we conclude our participation at ATM 2024, I’m filled with pride and optimism for the future of tourism in Saudi. Each partnership, each conversation, each meeting, has reaffirmed our belief that Saudi has an offer like no other,” Hamidaddin said.
“With 72 partners from the tourism ecosystem in attendance, we secured partnerships and made commitments which will further increase our connectivity and ensure the world is aware of our dynamic and diverse destinations,” the STA chief said.
“We leave ATM with an ongoing promise to collaborate regionally, creating a greater tourism economy and elevating the GCC into a global magnet for international travelers,” Hamidaddin added.

Business

US Plans to Impose Major New Tariffs on EVs, other Chinese Green Energy Imports

A worker checks solar panels at a factory in Jiujiang in central China’s Jiangxi province on March 16, 2018. The Biden administration is planning to announce new tariffs on electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar equipment and medical supplies imported from China. (Chinatopix via AP)
A worker checks solar panels at a factory in Jiujiang in central China’s Jiangxi province on March 16, 2018. The Biden administration is planning to announce new tariffs on electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar equipment and medical supplies imported from China. (Chinatopix via AP)
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US Plans to Impose Major New Tariffs on EVs, other Chinese Green Energy Imports

A worker checks solar panels at a factory in Jiujiang in central China’s Jiangxi province on March 16, 2018. The Biden administration is planning to announce new tariffs on electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar equipment and medical supplies imported from China. (Chinatopix via AP)
A worker checks solar panels at a factory in Jiujiang in central China’s Jiangxi province on March 16, 2018. The Biden administration is planning to announce new tariffs on electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar equipment and medical supplies imported from China. (Chinatopix via AP)

The Biden administration plans to impose major new tariffs on electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar equipment and medical supplies imported from China, according to a US official and another person familiar with the plan.

Tariffs on electric vehicles, in particular, could quadruple — from the existing 25% to 100%. The plan was described by the people on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to provide details ahead of a formal announcement.

The tariffs, expected to be announced Tuesday, come as officials across the Democratic administration have expressed frustration over China's manufacturing “overcapacity” of EVs and other products that they say pose a threat to US jobs and national security.

Industrialized nations including the United States and its European allies fear a wave of low-priced Chinese exports will overwhelm domestic manufacturing.

According to The AP, on the US side, there is particular concern that China’s green energy products will undermine massive climate-friendly investments made through the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act that President Joe Biden signed into law in August 2022.

The additional tariffs also carry some political heft going into the November presidential election. Both Biden and his presumptive Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump, have told voters that they'll be tough on China, the world's second largest economy after the United States and an emerging geopolitical rival.

Biden has defined his policy as “competition with China, not conflict.” He has embraced an industrial strategy that has used government financial support to pull in private investment in new factories and advanced technology, while limiting the selling of computer chips and other equipment to China.

Trump has floated the idea of levying massive tariffs against China in order to reduce the US trade deficit with that country. He has repeatedly claimed that Biden's support for EVs would ultimately cause American factory jobs to go to China.

Tuesday's announcement is expected to keep in place some tariffs that were imposed during Trump's administration, covering about $360 billion in Chinese goods. The new tax on imports would add products such as Chinese syringes and solar equipment.

There is the risk that tariffs could lead to a broader trade conflict between the two countries as they respond to each other's moves. China is seeking to create a technological edge and move up the economic chain.

There are some indications that China is cooling its production of lithium-ion batteries used in EVs, cell phones and other consumer electronics at a time when it is facing increasing criticism from the West.

Business

European Companies are Less Upbeat About China’s Vast Market as its Economy Slows

President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China Jens Eskelund speaks during a press conference for European Chamber in Beijing, China, Friday, May 10, 2024. China is actively seeking foreign investment to boost its slowing growth, but that very sluggishness is weighing on company plans to grow their businesses in the world’s second largest economy, an annual survey of more than 500 European companies has found. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Ng Han Guan / Associated Press)
President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China Jens Eskelund speaks during a press conference for European Chamber in Beijing, China, Friday, May 10, 2024. China is actively seeking foreign investment to boost its slowing growth, but that very sluggishness is weighing on company plans to grow their businesses in the world’s second largest economy, an annual survey of more than 500 European companies has found. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Ng Han Guan / Associated Press)
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European Companies are Less Upbeat About China’s Vast Market as its Economy Slows

President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China Jens Eskelund speaks during a press conference for European Chamber in Beijing, China, Friday, May 10, 2024. China is actively seeking foreign investment to boost its slowing growth, but that very sluggishness is weighing on company plans to grow their businesses in the world’s second largest economy, an annual survey of more than 500 European companies has found. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Ng Han Guan / Associated Press)
President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China Jens Eskelund speaks during a press conference for European Chamber in Beijing, China, Friday, May 10, 2024. China is actively seeking foreign investment to boost its slowing growth, but that very sluggishness is weighing on company plans to grow their businesses in the world’s second largest economy, an annual survey of more than 500 European companies has found. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (Ng Han Guan / Associated Press)

China is actively seeking foreign investment to boost its slowing growth, but that very sluggishness is weighing on company plans to expand their businesses in the world's second largest economy, an annual survey of more than 500 European companies found, The AP reported.

The slowing economy is now the dominant concern of respondents to the European Chamber of Commerce in China survey, which was released Friday. China still ranks high as a place to invest, but the share of companies considering an expansion of their operations in the country this year fell to 42%, the lowest ever recorded.

“The business outlook is the most pessimistic yet, with companies’ expectations for growth and profitability taking a hit, and concerns about competition intensifying,” the chamber said in its business confidence survey.

The economic worries are layered on top of long-running complaints about regulations and practices that companies say favor their Chinese competitors or are unclear, creating uncertainty for them and their employees. Others including the American Chamber in China have expressed similar concerns.

Those older issues are now compounded by the weaker economy, eroding business confidence, said Jens Eskelund, the president of the European Chamber.

“Companies are beginning to realize that some of these pressures that we have seen in the local market, whether it’s competition, whether it’s low demand, that they are taking on perhaps a more permanent nature,” he told journalists earlier this week. “And that is something that is beginning to impact investment decisions and the way they go about thinking about development of the local market.”

The government is launching programs to boost consumer spending but confidence remains low because of a weak job market. Economic growth came in at a faster-than-expected 5.3% annual pace in the first three months of the year, but much of the GDP growth came from government spending on infrastructure and investment in factories and equipment.

Massive investment in industries such as solar power panels and electric cars has created intense price competition, squeezing profits. More than a third of the survey respondents said they have observed overcapacity in their industry. For 15% of the companies, their China operations finished 2023 in the red. Foreign companies need growth in domestic demand, not manufacturing capacity, Eskelund said.

“What is important to foreign companies is not necessarily sort of a headline GDP number — 5.3%, whatever — but the composition of GDP,” he said.

Close to 40% of companies said they have moved or are considering moving future investments out of China. Southeast Asia and Europe are the biggest beneficiaries, followed by India and North America. Nearly 60% said they are sticking with their investment plans for China, but that was down from last year.

“It’s not that companies are giving up on China, it’s just that we are beginning to see other countries emerging as a serious competitor to China,” Eskelund said Friday.

The survey report said “China’s allure as a top investment destination is fading” and warned that companies will pursue opportunities elsewhere unless there are improvements in the business environment.

The proportion of companies that are optimistic about expanding their China business this year fell to about one-third, down from more than half in 2023. Only 15% were optimistic about profit growth.

More than half expect to cut costs in China this year, including 26% who plan to reduce the size of their staffs — which the report said "will further increase the pressure on an already strained job market.”