Asia

China and 28 countries launch global AI cooperation body in Shanghai

Body will promote international AI cooperation, governance, safety and more equitable access to the technology 

Bank of Korea raises rate to 2.75 percent in first hike since 2023 as inflation hits 3.2 percent

The central bank signaled that further increases may follow as inflation and household debt risks persist 

India-U.K. trade deal takes effect with duties removed on 96.8 percent of U.K. tariff lines

The agreement expands goods, services and professional mobility across both markets.

China’s economic growth eases to 4.3 percent in Q2 2026

Despite the slowdown, China’s economy expanded 4.7 percent in the first half of the year, keeping growth broadly on track with Beijing’s annual target

China on track to post $1 trillion trade surplus for second year as exports surge on AI boom 

China’s monthly vehicle exports surpassed 1 million units for the first time in June

World Bank keeps China GDP growth forecast at 4.4 percent for 2026 as AI investment supports economy

The economy remains resilient despite global energy and external risks

Samsung forecasts 19-fold profit surge to $58.44 billion as AI slowdown fears pressure shares

The company projected revenue to climb 129 percent year-on-year to 171 trillion won

Japan to invest $12 billion in India to boost cooperation in key sectors

India and Japan agreed to deepen cooperation in areas including artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy and defense

South Korea’s monthly exports surpass $100 billion for the first time on AI chip boom

South Korea has become only the fourth country globally to surpass $100 billion in monthly exports, alongside Germany, China and the United States

EU and China launch trade talks to rebalance market access, trade and investment 

China's trade surplus with the EU hit $411.95 billion in 2025, a 15 percent increase over 2024

South Korea to invest over $517 billion in new semiconductor production base

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix will jointly invest 800 trillion won to build two advanced semiconductor fabrication plants each

Amazon expands India AI, cloud investment to $48 billion with additional $13 billion through 2030

Investment will expand AI and cloud infrastructure across Mumbai and Hyderabad

SK Hynix overtakes Samsung as South Korea’s most valuable company

SK Hynix shares have surged more than 340 percent so far this year, building on a strong rally in 2025

China targets U.S. rare earth companies with new export restrictions

The move follows Washington's latest sanctions on several Chinese companies

Bank of Japan raises interest rates to 31-year high

The central bank raised its short-term policy rate to 1 percent from 0.75 percent, pushing borrowing costs to their highest level since 1995

Japan initiates biggest budgetary reform since 1945 to eliminate structural reliance on supplementary spending packages

The reform directly addresses opposition and investor criticism regarding overly loose fiscal policies 

Nvidia signs AI infrastructure agreements with South Korea’s tech giants

As part of a multi-year technology collaboration, SK Hynix will work with Nvidia to develop next-generation memory solutions for AI data centers worldwide

Japan’s foreign reserves drop by record $77.11 billion in May, lowest since July 2025

Sharp decrease is largely attributed to aggressive efforts by Tokyo authorities to stabilize the yen

India approves $1 billion support to cap aviation fuel prices amid global energy pressures

Government caps aviation turbine fuel price at INR75.6 per litre for domestic flights

South Korea exports surge to record $87.75 billion in May amid AI boom

South Korea’s semiconductor exports soared 169.4 percent year-on-year to a record $37.16 billion in May

Japan’s Q1 2026 real GDP expands 0.5 percent, marking an annualized 2.1 percent growth rate

Nominal gross domestic product increases 0.8 percent during the three-month period

Japan signs $2.2 billion loans for projects under $550 billion U.S. investment pledge

The first three projects include an oil export facility ​in Texas, ​an industrial ⁠diamond plant and a natural gas-fired power plant 

Bank of Japan holds interest rate at 0.75 percent, raises inflation forecast by 0.9 percent

Central bank keeps policy steady in 6–3 vote as market expected

India and New Zealand sign free trade deal, announce $20 billion investment commitment

The investment commitment of $20 billion from New Zealand signals strong confidence in India’s growth story