Word is just in that the Chinese government has cut power supplies to some factories, effective immediately, for four days, as a result of environmental non-compliance.
Factories in more than 10 provinces are affected, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong. The closures will no doubt add to the congestion and disarray plaguing industry at the moment. Bloomberg reports
Trade continues to be the least problematic aspect of the EU-China economic relationship. The BRI offers potential trade gains for Europe by improving physical connectivity with countries along the route to China, but it also poses challenges for the EU. While Chinese investment in Europe is growing and has focused strongly on technology, it raises the question of whether the EU should fear losing its technological edge, especially when Chinese state-owned companies might distort competition through foreign acquisitions.