Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province, a megacity of ~21 million that blends ancient heritage with a modern tech and gastronomy hub.
President Donald Trump has told Axios he is "low‑keying" negotiations with Iran and is "only semi‑negotiating," while mediators from Oman and Qatar are advancing plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran denies direct U.S. talks. The U.S. naval blockade and shipping attacks are keeping oil prices elevated and markets nervous.
Hollywood’s outreach to Chinese audiences is accelerating as more films screen in mainland China and star collaborations drive interest. The Odyssey has grossed over $7 million in China ahead of its Aug. 14 release, while Nolan’s interview with a Chinese scholar has gone viral, illustrating how studios are courting Chinese viewers amid thawing U.S.-China tensions.
APEC discussions have highlighted a widening gap between the US and China on trade, even as Beijing’s commitments to Boeing orders and US agricultural purchases signal ongoing economic ties. APEC ministers are urging faster implementation of agreed outcomes, with potential shifts as Xi and Trump are expected to meet later this year.
Automakers have pulled several electric models from the U.S. market even as quarterly EV sales have risen. Q2 2026 U.S. consumer EV purchases have reached 247,226 vehicles, a sequential rise driven by higher fuel prices, new low-cost entrants and state rebates. Manufacturers and startups are responding with cheaper models, but many legacy brands have cancelled or delayed U.S. EV projects.
China is steering consumption toward offline, experience-driven spending as policymakers back in-person venues and events. Investors see the consumer as king even as retail growth remains tepid, with policymakers highlighting experience-focused sectors and venues like Wangfujing to attract locals and tourists.
The US is weighing a response to Chinese open-weight AI models amid concerns of distillation and IP theft as Moonshot AI’s Kimi K3 shows strong benchmarks. Officials have signaled possible actions while Silicon Valley presses for open access to models to sustain competition.
U.S. officials have accused Chinese startups, most prominently Moonshot, of using distillation to replicate capabilities from Anthropic's Fable and have warned of sanctions and trade restrictions. China has pushed back, industry groups have urged against broad bans, and major U.S. tech firms have publicly defended open-weight models while policymakers debate targeted measures.