January 16 (Reuters) - Officials from the Trump administration warned on Friday that Canada’s decision to allow the import of up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles is a regrettable decision and clearly stated that these vehicles will be banned from entering the U.S. market.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made this statement alongside other government officials while attending an event in a Ford plant in Ohio aimed at reducing car prices. He said, "I believe that when they look back at this decision, they will surely regret bringing Chinese cars into the domestic market."
Although Canada is following the U.S. lead by imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles starting in 2024, its recent move to allow some electric vehicles to enter has raised serious concerns from the U.S. side. U.S. officials worry that this move may help China establish a foothold in the North American market, while Washington's stance on Canadian automotive and parts policies is becoming increasingly tough.
In response, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer pointed out that given the limited number of vehicles involved, this will not impact U.S. automotive companies' export business to Canada.
"I don’t think this will disrupt U.S. automotive supply to Canada," Greer emphasized, "these vehicles are destined for Canada and will never be shipped here." As of now, the Canadian Embassy in Washington has not commented on this matter.
In another interview with CNBC, Greer bluntly stated that Canada’s decision is "problematic." He added, "There’s a reason we restrict the sale of Chinese cars in the U.S., which is that we protect American autoworkers and the general public from the impact of these vehicles through tariffs."
Discussing related trade agreements, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned that under the new agreement, China is expected to reduce rapeseed tariffs to around 15% before March 1.
However, Greer expressed skepticism about the agreement. He stated, "I think in the long run, they will ultimately be dissatisfied with the agreement they reached."
Greer also mentioned that regulations passed in January 2025 concerning connected and navigation system vehicles have become a significant barrier for Chinese cars entering the U.S. market.
"I think they will have a hard time doing business here," Greer explained, "The U.S. has strict regulatory standards for vehicle and system cybersecurity, so I think it will be very difficult for Chinese companies to comply."
It is worth noting that, in contrast, President Donald Trump had previously expressed hope that Chinese automakers would set up factories in the U.S. to manufacture.
However, bipartisan lawmakers in the U.S. currently hold a strong opposition to Chinese cars, and major automakers have warned that China poses a threat to the U.S. automotive industry.
At the event that day, Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno expressed his firm opposition to Chinese cars entering the U.S., a stance that earned applause from other officials present.
"As long as I have breath in me, I will never allow Chinese cars to be sold in the U.S. - that is a definitive statement," Moreno declared firmly.
【Kenya: Preliminary Tax Exemption Agreement Reached with China】
According to a report by the Financial Associated Press on January 17, citing Reuters, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry of Kenya announced on the 15th that the country has reached a preliminary trade agreement with China, which will allow 98.2% of Kenya's export products to qualify for tariff-free entry into the Chinese market.
Previously, some Kenyan media had cited sources saying that the United States had requested that Kenya refrain from signing trade agreements with China. Relevant reports indicate that the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry of Kenya disclosed the progress of negotiations for the first time in a statement on the 15th, clearly stating: "We have initiated discussions with China regarding a bilateral trade agreement."
According to reports, the agreement is a result of a significant initiative announced by China in June last year, which implemented a zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with it. After consultations and negotiations, both Kenya and China reached the aforementioned preliminary agreement, ensuring that 98.2% of Kenyan goods can enter the Chinese market tariff-free.
【China's annual electricity consumption has historically surpassed 10 trillion kilowatt-hours】
Cailian Press, January 17 - According to the official announcement from the National Energy Administration of China on January 17, 2025 will mark a milestone for the country's total electricity consumption, crossing the threshold of 10 trillion kilowatt-hours for the first time, reaching 10.4 trillion kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 5%. This figure is the first of its kind among single countries globally, equivalent to more than double the annual electricity consumption of the United States, and surpassing the combined annual electricity consumption of the European Union, Russia, India, and Japan.
【Jia Guolong's Revenge Failed】Jia Guolong and Luo Yonghao have both been silenced, and the "Xibei People's Voice" has cleared its content. The CEO of Weibo has spoken on this matter.
According to reports from the New Yellow River, the online dispute between Jia Guolong, the founder of Xibei, and Luo Yonghao continues to attract public attention. On the evening of January 16, Jia Guolong activated his long-unused personal Weibo account and announced that he would provide a "comprehensive response to Luo Yonghao's significant defamation against Xibei" at 10 PM that night.
Around 9:30 PM on January 16, Jia Guolong posted on the official Weibo @Xibei People's Voice, accusing Luo Yonghao of maliciously inciting public sentiment. Currently, this content is no longer viewable.
Subsequently, around 9:50 PM, a reporter from the New Yellow River learned from relevant personnel on Luo Yonghao's side that the accounts @Luo Yonghao's Crossroads and @Xibei Jia Guolong have both been silenced.
On the evening of the 16th, Weibo CEO Wang Gaofei also posted on his personal Weibo @Between Coming and Going, stating that if one wishes to engage in a debate in the future, it should still be conducted through media interviews.
It is worth noting that the National Internet Information Office's "Cyberspace China" issued a notice on December 2025 regarding the "Regulation of Online Celebrity Account Behavior Management," with the full content as follows:
Provincial, autonomous region, and municipality party committee internet information offices, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps party committee internet information office:
In view of the large fan base and high social attention of online celebrity accounts, which have a strong influence and demonstration effect on the internet, in order to strengthen the normalized management of such accounts, guide them to consciously regulate their online behavior, and prevent the negative impacts of improper words and deeds, our office has specially formulated a negative list of online celebrity account behaviors to clearly define behavioral boundaries.
All website platforms must earnestly implement the requirements of laws and regulations, strictly enforce the "Regulations on the Ecological Governance of Internet Information Content," the "Regulations on the Management of Internet User Account Information," and other relevant provisions. Each platform must compare against the negative list, strictly implement their main responsibilities, and further improve community rules and user agreements related to the management of online celebrity accounts. At the same time, they must strengthen the management of online celebrity accounts in terms of information publishing, live interaction, topic initiation, etc., guiding account operators to reasonably use their influence and regulate their online words and deeds. Local internet information departments should fulfill their responsibilities for local management, strengthen guidance and supervision, and urge relevant website platforms to effectively carry out the standardized management of online celebrity account behaviors.
**Ministry of Commerce of China Interprets the Results of China-Canada Economic and Trade Consultations in Depth**
From January 14 to 17, 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Carney was invited to make an official visit to China. During this visit, both sides reached a series of broad consensus on deepening economic and trade cooperation, not only formally signing the "China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap," but also forming a preliminary joint arrangement for properly handling bilateral economic and trade issues. Relevant officials from the Ministry of Commerce's Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs provided an in-depth interpretation of the economic and trade achievements from this visit.
**I. What are the core contents and main highlights of the "China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap"?**
**Answer:** This visit is of milestone significance, marking the first visit to China by the Canadian Prime Minister in 8 years. On January 15, in the presence of Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Carney, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and Canada's Minister of International Trade Sidhu officially signed the "China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap" on behalf of their respective departments. This is a key phased achievement obtained under the framework of the new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada, and also the first high-level cooperation document in the history of bilateral economic and trade relations. Its main contents and highlights are reflected in the following three aspects:
**First, the cooperation mechanism is comprehensively upgraded.** Both sides unanimously agreed to strengthen the China-Canada Economic and Trade Joint Committee mechanism, deciding to elevate it from a vice-ministerial level to a ministerial level. At the same time, they will promote the comprehensive restoration and restart of dialogues and exchanges among various working groups, including intellectual property and trade remedies, reaffirming the main channel role of the Joint Committee in promoting cooperation and managing differences. This initiative provides a solid institutional guarantee for accelerating the upgrading of China-Canada economic and trade relations.
**Second, practical cooperation areas are extensively expanded.** The "Roadmap" systematically constructs a new pattern of cooperation in eight major fields, covering the Economic and Trade Joint Committee mechanism, bilateral economic and trade relations, agricultural food and food security, green and sustainable trade, e-commerce and trade promotion, facilitation of personnel exchanges, economic and financial cooperation, and multilateral regional economic and trade cooperation. The document proposes 28 specific cooperation measures, which not only plan traditional areas such as energy, agriculture, consumer goods, and small and medium-sized enterprises, but also comprehensively deploy cooperation in emerging fields such as new materials, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and green products, indicating that China-Canada economic and trade cooperation is expected to enter a fast-track of development.
**Finally, multilateral and regional consensus is significantly enhanced.** Both sides have reached positive consensus on cooperation under multilateral and regional frameworks, agreeing to support a multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization and based on rules, and jointly promote practical results in reform at the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to act within the framework of WTO rules and to avoid implementing unilateral measures in the future. In addition, the Canadian side also expressed a positive attitude towards China's hosting of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting and joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). These consensuses gather the strength of both sides to support multilateralism and send a common voice to the international community.
**II. The "Joint Statement of China-Canada Leaders' Meeting" mentions that both sides have formed a preliminary joint arrangement for handling economic and trade issues. Can you reveal more details?**
**Answer:** In order to effectively implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, both sides recently held multiple rounds of intensive consultations at various levels on their respective concerns regarding economic and trade issues. Currently, both sides have made arrangements to properly address specific issues in areas such as electric vehicles, steel and aluminum products, canola seeds, and agricultural and aquatic products. At the same time, they have also formed a positive consensus on increasing direct flights, optimizing the business environment, and strengthening cooperation in agricultural product inspection and quarantine. This marks an important step for both sides in addressing each other's economic and trade concerns, and also stands at a new starting point for deepening economic and trade cooperation.
Looking ahead, both sides will continue to use the consensus of the leaders of both countries as a guide, jointly safeguarding and effectively implementing this hard-won consultation outcome. We will expedite the finalization of details, clarify the timetable and action plan, accelerate the fulfillment of respective domestic procedures, and ensure that the results are realized as soon as possible. At the same time, we will make full use of the China-Canada Economic and Trade Joint Committee mechanism to continuously expand cooperation space, effectively resolve issues, manage differences, and promote the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-Canada economic and trade relations.
**III. The Canadian side revealed in a media interview that it will actively adjust its export restrictions on Chinese electric vehicles. What are the specific circumstances?**
**Answer:** The Chinese side has noted the relevant statements from the Canadian side. Looking back at 2024, the Canadian side imposed a 100% additional tax on Chinese electric vehicles, which had a significant impact on the export of related Chinese products. According to the latest consultation adjustment arrangement, the Canadian side has committed to granting an annual export quota of 49,000 electric vehicles to China. Within the quota, vehicles will enjoy a 6.1% Most Favored Nation tariff treatment, without the previous 100% additional tax being levied, and the quota quantity will increase by a certain percentage each year.
The Chinese side believes that this is a positive step by the Canadian side towards solving the issue, and it is undoubtedly good news for Chinese electric vehicles expanding into the Canadian market. We hope that the Canadian side can actively fulfill its commitments, continue to work with the Chinese side, and create a fair, stable, and non-discriminatory market environment for trade and investment cooperation in electric vehicles between the two countries through friendly consultations. At the same time, we also look forward to both countries' industries seizing this opportunity to strengthen connections and achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
**IV. Regarding the Canadian side's concerns about the export issues of canola seeds and agricultural and aquatic products to China, it is understood that both sides have reached a preliminary consensus on adjusting the anti-dumping measures on canola seeds. Can you introduce more details?**
**Answer:** The China-Canada sides have conducted multiple rounds of consultations in the spirit of cooperation and win-win, aiming to compress the list of issues. According to the arrangements, the Canadian side will actively adjust the unilateral measures taken against Chinese electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products, as well as individual cases of Chinese companies operating investments in Canada. In response, the Chinese side will also adjust the anti-dumping measures on canola seeds that the Canadian side is concerned about, as well as the anti-discrimination measures taken against certain Canadian agricultural and aquatic products, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. It is believed that these pragmatic arrangements will play a positive role in deepening cooperation between related industries in China and Canada and enhancing the well-being of the people of both countries.
US Senator Proposes $2.5 Billion Strategic Mineral Reserve, Prioritizing Support for High-Dependency Minerals from China By | Caixin Lu Yutong 2026/01/16 18:18 The bill plans to establish an independent government organization, governed by a seven-member board similar to the Federal Reserve, responsible for procuring strategic critical minerals.
[Caixin] Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who proposed the bill, stated in the announcement that China's dominant position in the global critical mineral supply chain grants it significant influence and makes the U.S. vulnerable to economic coercion; this bipartisan bill represents a historic investment aimed at enhancing the resilience of the U.S. economy.
Strategic Minerals The U.S. relies on China for imports of certain critical minerals. According to statistics released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in early 2025, out of 50 critical mineral products in the U.S. in 2024, 12 are 100% dependent on imports, and 28 have a dependency rate exceeding 50%.
Specifically, the critical metals that the U.S. fully relies on for imports include arsenic, gallium, natural graphite, indium, manganese, natural mica, niobium, rubidium, scandium, strontium, tantalum, and yttrium compounds. At the same time, China is the largest source of imports for arsenic, natural graphite, natural mica, rubidium, tantalum, and yttrium compounds for the U.S.
Rare earths have played a critical role in China-U.S. tariff negotiations. According to the results of China-U.S. trade consultations in Kuala Lumpur, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs of China suspended export controls on five medium and heavy rare earths for one year in November 2025 and suspended the implementation of a one-year ban on exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the U.S. that was set to take effect at the end of 2024. (See Caixin Weekly's "The Reality of the U.S. Rare Earth Alliance")
The proposed bill still needs to go through the legislative process to become law. According to U.S. Congressional procedure, after a senator proposes a bill, it must first go through group discussions, and if approved, it will then go to a full Senate vote. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives must undergo a similar process, where a representative proposes a bill similar to the one in the Senate, goes through group discussions and voting, and then a full House vote. If both chambers pass the bills and the content aligns, it will be submitted to the U.S. President, who must sign it for it to take effect.
Supporting Domestic Companies Since 2025, the Trump administration's focus on critical metals has increased with the ongoing China-U.S. tariff war. The current U.S. government has introduced a method of "investment for equity," providing financial support by investing in companies or offering procurement contracts, intending to use national power to accelerate the construction of local mineral supply chains.
In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense invested $400 million in domestic rare earth company MP Materials, providing financial support and procurement commitments, marking the start of the U.S. government's "investment for equity" initiative. The company’s second magnet manufacturing plant is expected to be operational by 2028, and once completed, the annual production capacity of rare earth magnets will reach 10,000 tons. If this capacity plan is implemented, it will significantly reduce the U.S.'s reliance on foreign rare earths.
Following that, in mid-September, U.S. Antimony Corporation (NYSE: UAMY) announced that after long negotiations, the company secured a contract worth up to $245 million from the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency's Strategic Materials Department, which is a single-source contract for irregular deliveries and amounts. (See Caixin for "U.S. Defense Logistics Agency Signs Procurement Contract with Largest U.S. Antimony Company to Supplement National Defense Reserves")
The latest case is in November 2025, when the U.S. rare earth magnet startup Vulcan Elements announced a $1.4 billion deal with the U.S. government and private investors to construct a factory with an annual production capacity of 10,000 tons of magnets, although no construction timetable was provided.
At that time, the U.S. Department of Commerce stated that it had signed a non-binding preliminary letter of intent to provide the company with $50 million under the U.S. CHIPS Act of 2022 for purchasing permanent magnet equipment needed for producing fighter jets, wind turbines, and other critical products. In return, the Department of Commerce will receive equity in the company of equal value.
【The US is reportedly still negotiating the 'timing of strikes' against Iran】 According to multiple sources from the US, Israel, and Arab countries, President Trump has currently delayed his decision on whether to carry out a military strike against Iran. The White House is negotiating internally and with allies regarding the specific timing of the strike. Other reports indicate that Israel has taken a reserved stance on this strike action in the past 48 hours. The report mentions that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with Trump on the 14th, suggesting the US delay the action in order to give Israel more preparation time to respond to potential retaliation from Iran. Nevertheless, Iran temporarily closed its national airspace on the 15th. The report suggests that the current statements from the US may aim to create strategic uncertainty to disrupt Iran's judgment.
【Joint Statement of the China-Canada Leaders' Meeting】China and Canada Join Hands to Promote a New Type of Strategic Partnership
**【Visit Overview and High-Level Interaction】** At the invitation of Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney successfully completed an official visit to China from January 14 to 17, 2026. During the four-day itinerary, the leaders of China and Canada engaged in frequent and productive interactions: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Carney, Premier Li Qiang held formal talks with Prime Minister Carney, and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, also met with Prime Minister Carney. The leaders maintained a pragmatic and constructive attitude, engaging in in-depth communication on China-Canada bilateral relations and international regional issues of mutual concern.
**【Principles of Bilateral Relations】** During this meeting, the leaders reiterated the core principles guiding the development of China-Canada relations. The Canadian side reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the one-China policy. Both sides agreed to jointly promote a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada based on mutual respect and equality, aiming to create more benefits for the people of both countries.
**【Key Areas of Cooperation Achievements】** The leaders highly praised the positive progress made in recent bilateral dialogues and agreed to implement specific results in the following key areas through enhanced exchanges at all levels:
* **Macroeconomic and Financial Cooperation:** Both sides decided to restart high-level “China-Canada Economic and Financial Strategic Dialogue” to strengthen bilateral economic ties and explore a wide range of topics. A new mechanism in the financial sector will also be established, with both sides welcoming the establishment of a “China-Canada Financial Working Group,” which will report directly to the leaders of the Economic and Financial Strategic Dialogue. In addition, the leaders witnessed the signing of the “Third Extension and Amendment Agreement of the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement between the People's Bank of China and the Bank of Canada,” marking a further deepening of bilateral financial cooperation.
* **Trade and Economic Expansion:** Both sides are committed to building a closer trade and economic partnership and have formed a preliminary joint arrangement for addressing bilateral trade and economic issues. To create a fair and open business environment for enterprises in both countries, both sides agreed to strengthen mechanisms such as the “China-Canada Joint Economic and Trade Committee” to resolve mutual concerns through constructive consultations. As an important outcome of this visit, the leaders welcomed the signing of the “China-Canada Trade and Economic Cooperation Roadmap” and instructed relevant officials to promote its implementation. In the agricultural sector, both sides agreed to reactivate the “China-Canada Joint Agricultural Committee” to enhance food security cooperation.
* **Energy and Environment:** Both sides decided to initiate ministerial-level energy dialogues, while supporting clean energy exchanges, strengthen cooperation in traditional energy development such as oil and natural gas, and promote uranium trade. Both sides committed to responsible management of civilian nuclear energy according to the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency. In terms of climate and environment, both sides will rely on documents such as the “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” the “China-Canada Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change Cooperation,” and the “China-Canada Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation” to deepen practical cooperation.
* **Public Safety and Law Enforcement:** To ensure social security in both countries, both sides agreed to strengthen law enforcement cooperation based on their respective laws, focusing on combating corruption, cyber telecom fraud, and synthetic drugs among other transnational crimes. Both sides confirmed the continuation of the annual meeting mechanism of the “China-Canada Law Enforcement Cooperation Working Group” and will include drug control dialogue as an important component.
* **Cultural Exchange and Interaction:** Viewing personnel exchanges as the cornerstone of bilateral relations, both sides decided to restart the “China-Canada Cultural Joint Committee.” In the future, the focus will be on strengthening exchanges in education, arts, cultural heritage, and creative industries, and promoting interactions at the legislative and local levels. Both sides committed to providing more convenience and support for media workers, diplomatic missions, and personnel exchanges from each other's countries.
* **Multilateralism and Global Governance:** Both sides reiterated their commitment to multilateralism, supporting the core roles of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, and are dedicated to maintaining the stability of global industrial and supply chains. The Canadian side values the global governance initiatives proposed by the Chinese side, and both sides will strengthen cooperation on the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the reform of the international financial system. Notably, the Canadian side clearly supports China hosting the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, while China expressed gratitude and support for Canada’s bid to host the 2029 APEC meeting. Both sides will also seek more opportunities for cooperation within the G20 framework.
**【Visit Summary and Follow-Up】** Prime Minister Carney expressed heartfelt thanks for the warm reception from the Chinese government and people and extended an invitation to visit Canada to the Chinese leaders, who welcomed this.
**【List of Signed Cooperation Documents】** During the visit, both sides officially signed eight important cooperation documents covering various fields such as trade, security, agriculture, energy, and culture:
1. “Memorandum of Understanding on Criminal Cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police” 2. “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Modern Wood Structure Construction between the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China and the Department of Natural Resources of Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Forests” 3. “China-Canada Trade and Economic Cooperation Roadmap” 4. “Memorandum of Understanding on the China-Canada Cultural Joint Committee between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China and the Department of Canadian Heritage” 5. “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Food Safety and Animal and Plant Health between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency” 6. “Arrangement on Quarantine and Health Requirements for Canadian Pet Food Exported to China between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency” 7. “Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Energy Cooperation between the National Energy Administration of the People's Republic of China and the Department of Natural Resources of Canada” 8. “Letter of Intent for Cooperation between China Central Broadcasting Television and the Canadian Tourism Commission”
We share with you a survey report from the European Council on Foreign Relations, titled 'How Trump Made China Great Again - What It Means for Europe?'.
You can visit the following link for more details: https://ecfr.eu/publication/how-trump-is-making-china-great-again-and-what-it-means-for-europe/
The investigation report of the EU Foreign Relations Committee, please see: https://ecfr.eu/publication/how-trump-is-making-china-great-again-and-what-it-means-for-europe/