Category: Business Day

The Black Stars of Ghana sealed qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Comoros 1-0 in their final Group I fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday night, becoming the fifth African nation to book their place at the global showpiece after Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Roared on by a capacity 40,000 crowd, Ghana controlled possession and tempo for most of the first half but struggled to find a breakthrough despite sustained pressure. Comoros goalkeeper Adel Anzimati-Aboudou was rarely tested as the hosts’ attacks lacked cutting edge before the interval. After a goalless first half, Ghana finally found the breakthrough early in the second period through star midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who slotted home to send the home fans into jubilation.

The Black Stars’ qualification was also confirmed by Mali’s 4-1 victory over Madagascar, which ensured Ghana finished top of Group I, six points clear of the chasing pack.

Following the goal, the hosts dictated play with confidence, maintaining possession and composure as Comoros pushed in vain for an equaliser.

The final whistle sparked wild celebrations in Accra, as Ghana confirmed their return to the World Cup stage, their fifth appearance after featuring in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022.

Jennifer Adighije, the managing director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to revamping Nigeria’s power sector, following his recent approval of the defrayment of the ?4 trillion legacy debts owed to generation companies (GenCos).

Recall that in July 2025, President Tinubu met with chief executives of all power generation companies, where he emphasised the need for patience from GenCos and financial institutions. The President had also disclosed that government agencies were engaging audit and legal firms to scrutinise the ?4.7 trillion claims.

Speaking at this year’s National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) Energy Conference in Lagos, Adighije described the President’s approval as a landmark decision that would go a long way in restoring the financial health of the sector.

‘With the funds available, we at NDPHC – given our unique mandate as the government’s intervention entity in the power sector – plan to deploy a significant portion of these recovered funds toward converting our power plants from open-cycle to combined-cycle operations,’ she said.

‘This will not only enhance efficiency but also diversify our generation mix, aligning with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan,’ she added.

Adighije further noted that the power sector is currently undergoing a major transition, moving towards bilateral trading and the implementation of a cost-reflective tariff regime.

‘What this means for us is that we are beginning to see increased liquidity within the sector, which in turn is making it more bankable and attractive for investment,’ she explained.

‘For us in the power generation space, we understand that cash flow drives efficiency and sustainability. Improved liquidity ensures that generation companies are better positioned to reinvest in the power sector,’ Adighije said.

She reaffirmed NDPHC’s commitment to supporting ongoing reforms in the sector and called for sustained collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure energy security and economic growth.

Meanwhile, the association confers on the company, Power company of the year Award.

The federal government has inaugurated a Federal Inter-Agency Technical Committee for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, aimed at accelerating agro-industrialisation, boosting private sector investment, and transforming Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Friday, Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the committee would provide technical direction, ensure coordination among agencies, and oversee the effective implementation of the SAPZ initiative.

According to him, the SAPZ programme is a strategic intervention designed to unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential through cluster-based development and integrated infrastructure that connects farmers to processors, markets, and industries.

‘The establishment of this technical committee marks a significant milestone in our efforts to drive agricultural transformation and create inclusive prosperity,’ Ogunbiyi said.

‘The Ministry remains committed to providing the leadership and enabling environment needed to ensure the success of the programme.’

He outlined the committee’s terms of reference to include offering technical guidance on implementation strategies, addressing policy and technical gaps, aligning sectoral programmes with SAPZ objectives, and supporting monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure accountability and impact.

In her remarks, Iluromi Olubunmi, director, Federal Department of Development Partnership Projects, described the committee’s inauguration as ‘timely and necessary’ for providing the inter-agency coordination and policy alignment required for the programme’s success nationwide.

Kabir Yusuf, National Project Coordinator for SAPZ , explained that the programme’s main goal is to promote inclusive and sustainable agro-industrial development, diversify the economy, and reduce Nigeria’s food import bill.

‘SAPZ is a cross-cutting platform designed to attract private sector investment into value-added agro-processing, thereby enhancing food security, job creation, export earnings, and agriculture’s contribution to GDP,’ Yusuf said.

The newly inaugurated committee includes representatives from key federal ministries such as Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Water Resources, Women Affairs, Industry, Trade and Investment, Power, and Works, among others.

Two years have elapsed since cargo planes, specifically designed for freight transport, ceased operations in Nigeria due to the country’s foreign exchange constraints and airlines’ trapped funds. Despite the federal government’s efforts to clear $743 million in outstanding dues, these aircraft have failed to resume service.

Findings by BusinessDay showed that airline operators have since relocated to more lucrative markets, citing Nigeria’s low cargo demand and unprofitability as major deterrents.

‘The big cargo planes are not back to Nigeria. Airlines look for profitability in different countries before operating cargo flights. So, if I’m getting an aircraft that comes into Nigeria for instance and I don’t have cargo am taking out of Nigeria, it becomes an issue. This is the major problem the operators are having,’ Kingsley Nwokoma, president of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN) told BusinessDay.

He explained that before cargo flights stopped coming into Nigeria, after dropping cargo in the country, they went back empty and sometimes to other African countries to pick up cargo which is not profitable for them considering cost of operations.

‘If a big aircraft comes into Lagos, Abuja or Kano for instance, because of the long flight time, they have to do a crew rest for safety reasons. They also have to buy fuel and pay landing and parking fees. So, when you put all these costs together and compare it to when that same aircraft goes to Asia Pacific, China or Japan and Asia, it is more profitable,’ Nwokoma said.

He said that foreign airlines would rather go to where they can get more profit and where the ease of doing business is high.

According to the AFARN president, the shipments airlines carry now come under the belly of the passenger aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Airbus, adding that once in a while airlines get charter flights for cargo which covers their arrival and departure costs.

‘Those good old days when cargo planes come in four to six times a week are gone. Air cargo is supposed to be the fastest and that is why people choose this option but if profitability and the ease of doing business are gone, most customers would prefer the sea cargo option and do futuristic planning,’ Nwokoma said.

Cargolux, Saudi Cargo and Emirates Cargo airlines which operated cargo flights into Nigeria have all stopped flights into the country. Only Turkish Airlines cargo planes still carry out skeletal operations in Nigeria and sometimes, the airline is unable to operate even one flight to the country in one week.

Airlines now use the belly compartment in passenger aircraft to accommodate cargo. However, importers or exporters with large cargo have had to charter cargo planes to bring in their cargo products into Nigeria at very exorbitant rates.

In 2023, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) disclosed that the trapped funds belonging to foreign airlines operating in Nigeria reached $743,721,097 in March 2023 from $ 662 million in January 2023.

The situation had then forced Emirates and Etihad Airlines to suspend passenger flight operations in Nigeria. As trapped funds continue to increase, cargo airlines also joined the fray and stopped flying into the country in a bid to mitigate the effects of the trapped funds on their operations.

Seyi Adewale, chief executive officer, Mainstream Cargo Limited, told BusinessDay that although there is a slight improvement in trade generally, the present air cargo situation, freighter numbers, and flight frequencies are largely the same.

‘The ‘real cargoes’ that make freighter flights thrive have largely not returned. It appears they have moved to sea freight and e-commerce appears to have replaced these ‘real cargoes’,’ Adewale said.

He listed the real cargoes to include heavy equipment, tools, aircraft parts, construction and building materials, oil and gas materials, amongst others, adding that many big air cargo driving projects appear to have slowed down or probably lost the yearn for high-costing air freight.

The Mainstream Cargo boss said the freighters that are dogged over time are Allied Air and Turkish Airlines, adding that low demand has kept others away from Nigeria.

‘Nigerians cannot at present afford the high cost of air freight. Do remember that we used to get dollars very cheaply before and the economy was swamped with dollars and free funds. All these have disappeared,’ Adewale said.

Ikechi Uko, convener, CHINET aviation and cargo conference, told BusinessDay that Nigeria was doing worse than it did two years ago in cargo because the economy of Nigeria was struggling.

‘Both imports and exports are struggling in Nigeria. Before, cargo planes came in full and left empty but now our numbers have dropped. This is more of a reflection of the economy than cargo business. Our volumes of air cargo are currently a bit over 100 metric tonnes as against over 200 metric tonnes we did in the past,’ Uko said.

The history of human civilisation is, in large part, the history of shared stories. From the oral traditions around a communal fire to the dog-eared copies of a canonical novel passed through generations, literature has always been a communal experience. It creates a common cultural language, which is an essential bond that defines a society.

However, a silent, profound shift is underway, driven by the siren song of technological convenience – AI-curated, personalised storytelling. This technology promises the ultimate reader experience – a book, a narrative, a plot twist perfectly engineered to your psychological profile – designed by an algorithm that knows your preferences better than you know yourself.

While the appeal is undeniable, this hyper-personalisation is not just a technological upgrade. Rather, it is an existential threat to the very idea of a shared literary culture. The danger is not that AI will write poorly, but that it will write too well for an audience of one.

The most immediate casualty of hyper-personalised literature is the communal experience of shared books. Now, imagine a classroom where 30 students are all reading a different version of The Great Gatsby. Student A, who prefers romance, has a plot where Jay Gatsby and Daisy flee together. Student B, who craves action, reads a version where Gatsby is a mob boss who dies in a shootout. Student C, who is easily distracted, reads a heavily abridged, gamified edition.

What do they discuss? Nothing. The very foundation of a literature class – the shared text, the collective interpretation of a common ambiguity, the vibrant debate over a character’s moral failure – dissolves into 30 isolated, subjectively validated experiences. The ‘water cooler moment,’ where colleagues debate a character’s decision in a popular novel, disappears. When everyone reads a story tailored to their comfort zone, there is no common ground for debate, no intellectual friction, and no shared cultural touchstone. The binding agent of a society’s imagination – its literary canon – evaporates into a million filter bubbles.

Paradoxically, the drive for ultimate personalisation may lead to suffocating narrative homogeneity. AI models are trained on vast existing datasets. When an algorithm is prompted to create content based on your tastes, it performs a highly sophisticated act of remixing what already exists. The output is a flawless echo, creating a story that perfectly conforms to established, successful patterns.

This reliance on patterns creates a ‘cliché massacre.’ The best, most disruptive stories – a novel that breaks the fourth wall, a poem with a truly original metaphor, a narrative that subverts a cultural expectation – are defined by their willingness to break the mold. AI, operating as a statistical engine, struggles to generate truly original and disruptive storytelling. It prefers stability over change, reconciliation over conflict, and the easily digestible over the profoundly challenging.

If AI-curated narratives default to predictable plot structures – for instance, a protagonist returning to their small town to restore lost traditions – we risk standardising global culture into a ‘synthetic imaginary.’ Instead of celebrating the messy, diverse, and often contradictory cultural narratives of humanity, we will be fed a sanitised, algorithmically palatable global monoculture. Our cultural heritage, in its richness and complexity, becomes collateral damage.

Furthermore, the impact on education and the cultural canon is particularly troubling. Canonical texts – from Sophocles to Soyinka – are not merely good books; rather, they are the intellectual benchmarks of our civilisation. They challenge us, expose us to radically different worldviews, and force us to grapple with complex moral and historical contexts. They are often uncomfortable and difficult.

An AI tool, fine-tuned to maximise engagement, would naturally remove elements a user finds challenging. Why read a difficult, culturally distant novel when you can read a version that uses simpler language, removes the ambiguous ending, and features a protagonist whose worldview perfectly mirrors your own?

This technological drift towards comfort erodes the very purpose of a canon, which is to foster intellectual growth through exposure to difference. We risk creating a generation of readers intellectually trapped in cozy bubbles of their own tastes, losing the critical capacity to engage with and learn from perspectives outside their experience. The collective effort to understand a great book is replaced by the passive consumption of a ‘stalker story’ – a narrative that knows and confirms your biases.

In conclusion, to protect our shared literary future, we must not let AI become the ghost-in-the-machine of our collective imagination. AI is a powerful tool for generation and summarisation, but the curation, the critical engagement, and the shared act of reading must remain a fundamentally human and communal endeavor. Our books are not just entertainment; they are our social contracts. We must keep them in public view.

In an era of shifting geopolitics, how does ACCPA ensure that Africa-China cooperation remains equitable, transparent, and sustainable for both sides?

ACCPA promotes equity and transparency by grounding all its work in independent research, data-driven analysis, and open dialogue. We engage both African and Chinese stakeholders on the basis of mutual accountability and shared development goals, rather than one-sided narratives.

Through policy briefs, public forums, and strategic partnerships, we highlight the importance of responsible investment, climate-conscious development, and respect for local priorities. Our role is to ensure Africa-China cooperation evolves as a balanced, evidence-based partnership that advances sustainability and benefits both sides over the long term.

With teams across several African countries, as well as in China and the UK, how does ACCPA coordinate its diverse network to maintain a unified research and policy agenda?

ACCPA maintains a unified agenda through a central coordination model led from our Accra headquarters, guided by a clear five-year strategic framework that outlines our thematic priorities and research standards.

Our teams across Africa, China, and the UK collaborate through virtual working groups, joint research projects, and regular policy dialogues, ensuring alignment and shared learning.

We also emphasize inclusive coordination, where local teams provide contextual insights that strengthen our continental perspective. This structure allows ACCPA to stay cohesive, agile, and consistent in advancing Africa’s voice within Africa-China cooperation.

Among your thematic priorities, namely, climate, food security, natural resources, youth and governance, technology, energy, and health, which has proven most challenging to address, and why?

At ACCPA, we see our thematic pillars as interconnected rather than competing priorities. Naturally, we began with climate, youth, and governance, given their urgency and the demand from policymakers and partners for deeper engagement in these areas. These themes have allowed us to shape high-level dialogues, policy frameworks, and capacity-building initiatives with tangible outcomes.

The other areas-such as food security, natural resources, technology, energy, and health-are equally critical, but we are approaching them through a phased strategy. It is not so much that they present insurmountable challenges, but rather that we are deliberate in sequencing our focus to ensure depth, impact, and sustainability.

Going forward, we see enormous opportunity to expand our research and advisory work in these additional areas, building on the foundation we have already established.

Could you share specific examples where ACCPA’s policy briefs or expert analyses have directly influenced government policy or shaped Africa-China cooperation strategies?

A key example is our work under the Sino-African Green Finance Alliance (SAGFA). In Ghana, ACCPA’s policy briefs on green finance informed national discussions on climate funding and guided engagement between the Ministry of Finance, EPA, and Chinese partners.

In Ethiopia, our expert analyses helped shape dialogues on integrating sustainability principles into Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, supporting the country’s climate adaptation agenda.

Through SAGFA and similar initiatives, ACCPA has moved from research to real policy impact-bridging governments, investors, and institutions to promote climate-resilient, equitable Africa-China cooperation.

How does ACCPA balance the often-competing interests of African governments, Chinese stakeholders, and local communities in your dialogue platforms?

ACCPA’s role is to serve as a neutral convening platform where all parties can engage constructively and transparently. We achieve balance by grounding every dialogue in evidence-based research and shared development priorities, rather than political or commercial interests.

Our approach emphasizes mutual understanding and inclusivity-ensuring that African governments articulate policy needs, Chinese stakeholders share technical and financial perspectives, and local communities highlight social and environmental realities.

What would you say are ACCPA’s most significant achievements to date in advancing Africa’s voice in Africa-China relations?

ACCPA’s greatest achievement has been positioning Africa’s voice at the center of Africa-China cooperation through research, dialogue, and policy engagement. We have become a trusted bridge between policymakers, diplomats, and experts on both sides.

Notably, our Sino-African Green Finance Alliance (SAGFA) has shaped national and regional conversations on climate cooperation, producing actionable policy recommendations adopted in Ghana and Ethiopia. We also hosted the Ghana-China Climate Summit 2025, which brought together senior government officials, Chinese diplomats, and development partners to chart a joint path toward green and sustainable growth.

Beyond climate, ACCPA has signed strategic MoUs with institutions such as the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, Institute of Chinese Law, ISPS South Sudan and the Africa Policy Institute (Kenya) etc.

What structural, political, or financial obstacles does ACCPA face in fulfilling its mandate, and how do you navigate these hurdles?

Like many independent policy institutions, ACCPA faces challenges related to sustainable funding, limited research infrastructure, and the need to navigate political sensitivities inherent in Africa-China relations.

We address these by maintaining institutional independence, building strategic partnerships with credible organizations across Africa, China, and beyond, and diversifying our funding sources through grants, commissioned studies, and training programs.

Given Africa’s youthful population, how is ACCPA ensuring that young people are not only included but also empowered in Africa-China policy conversations?

Youth empowerment is central to ACCPA’s mission. We ensure young Africans are not just participants but active contributors in shaping Africa-China relations. Through initiatives like the Ghana-China Media Fellowship and the upcoming Sino-African Green Finance Fellowship, we equip young professionals with knowledge, networks, and practical exposure to policy and international cooperation.

We also integrate youth voices into our policy dialogues, research projects, and mentorship programs, ensuring intergenerational perspectives in every conversation. By doing so, ACCPA is building a new generation of African thinkers and leaders who can confidently engage China and the world on equal terms.

What was the inspiration behind establishing the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory, and how has its vision evolved since its inception?

The idea for ACCPA was inspired by the growing importance of Africa-China relations and the absence of an African-led institution dedicated to shaping this partnership through research, policy dialogue, and advisory work. We wanted to ensure Africa’s perspectives drive the agenda-not just react to it.

Since inception, our vision has evolved from focusing on trade and diplomacy to addressing emerging issues like climate change, green finance, digital transformation, and governance.

Today, ACCPA serves as a trusted bridge-connecting governments, businesses, and academia to promote cooperation that is evidence-based, inclusive, and aligned with Africa’s long-term development priorities.

Looking ahead, what is ACCPA’s five- to ten-year roadmap, and how do you envision scaling your work to have an even greater continental and global impact?

Over the next decade, ACCPA aims to cement its role as Africa’s leading voice on Africa-China and South-South cooperation. Our roadmap focuses on expanding regional offices across Africa, deepening our work on climate, green industrialization, and digital transformation, and building strong alliances with global think tanks and development partners.

Through these initiatives, ACCPA seeks to move from shaping national conversations to influencing continental and global policy agendas, ensuring Africa’s perspectives remain central in global cooperation frameworks.

Trino Motion Pictures has unveiled the official poster for ‘Grandpa Must Obey’, its highly anticipated family dramedy, which is set for nationwide release on November 21, 2025, through FilmOne Entertainment.

The vibrant new poster captures the heart and humour of ‘Grandpa Must Obey’, a film that promises laughter, warmth, and the universal tug-of-war between generations. Designed with bold, playful energy, the artwork reflects the film’s spirit: grumpy meets mischief, all wrapped in love, chaos, and plenty of heart.

The newly unveiled poster captures the heart of the film, the humorous yet touching bond that forms between generations. Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK), veteran Nollywood icon, takes on an unexpected and refreshing role as a seventy-year-old man grappling with grief and resentment, finds himself unexpectedly babysitting for his two mischievous grandchildren.

What begins as a clash of wills soon transforms into a moving tale of family, forgiveness, and rediscovering joy after loss.

Directed by Chibuzor Afurobi and written by Saviour Kings Bob, the film blends heartfelt emotion with laugh-out-loud comedy, a combination that’s sure to strike a chord with audiences of all ages.

‘We wanted to tell a story that feels deeply Nigerian but universally human – one that celebrates family, resilience, and the small moments that make life beautiful,’ Uche Okocha, managing director, Trino Motion Pictures and ‘Grandpa Must Obey’ producer, said.

The film features a robust ensemble of celebrated Nollywood stars and rising talents:

Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK) delivers a career-defining performance as the strong-willed yet vulnerable Grandpa.

Darasimi Nadi and Fiyin Asenuga bring youthful energy and comedic brilliance to the family dynamic.

Yvonne Jegede and Bimbo Akintola add depth and heart to the emotional core of the story.

Produced by Uche Okocha, Grandpa Must Obey reaffirms Trino Motion Pictures’ reputation for delivering authentic, high-quality Nigerian storytelling that connects with local and global audiences alike.

Positioned as the family film of the festive season, Grandpa Must Obey is poised to light up cinemas nationwide this November. With its mix of humour, heart, and relatable storytelling, the film is a reminder that sometimes – obeying Grandpa is not as easy as it sounds.

Catch the laughter, love, and lessons when Grandpa Must Obey hits cinemas on November 21, 2025.

Medplus Pharmacy, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical retailer, recently transformed the Civic Center in Victoria Island into a hub of beauty, wellness, and empowerment as Beyond Medplus, hosted the second edition of its flagship festival- Glow Fest 2025, themed ‘More Than Skin Deep.’

Beyond Medplus Glow Fest, Nigeria’s beauty and wellness gathering, returned bigger and bolder, sparking important conversations about the intersections of self-care, business, and community while celebrating the people and brands shaping the industry.

This year’s edition which held on Saturday, September 20, opened with a financial literacy session powered by Sohcahtoa, equipping beauty entrepreneurs and SMEs with practical tools for funding, scaling, and long-term success.

The program flowed into the marquee panel, ‘The New Age of Beauty and the Rise of the Technological Gaze,’ where leading voices, including Beatrice Ige of Brich Aesthetic Clinic, Tania Omotayo Creative Director of Ziva Lagos, Cynthia Ebie Deputy Clinical Director. General Hospital, Subuola Oyeleye Founder Beauty Hut Africa, unpacked how cosmetic treatments and the pressure to look good have become tied to identity, opportunity, and economic survival.

Adding to the momentum, Providus Bank’s Divisional Head, Corporate Banking, Funke Jones, delivered a keynote on financing beauty businesses, while Maybelline’s interactive masterclass drew crowds eager to learn clean glam techniques and skin-first makeup routines.

A highlight of the day was the ‘Medplus Business Challenge’, where MedPlus announced a distribution deal for one deserving beauty or wellness brand reinforcing the festival’s commitment to giving back and driving sustainable industry growth.

Speaking at the event, Ife Bakare, Executive Director of MedPlus, said: ‘Beyond Medplus Glow Fest 2025 reaffirmed our vision of creating an impactful space to emphasize how beauty is intertwined to wellness, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.

‘We’re proud to have created a platform that unites all three and also have given one business access to our vast resources through a distribution deal. Going forward we hope to create more impactful initiatives like this.’

Through Beyond Medplus Glow Fest, Medplus continually strives to educate, empower and advocate for growth in the beauty sector that extends into economic growth for not just individuals but society at large.

The event concluded with networking, giveaways, and a rallying call to continue building a more inclusive, innovative, and community-driven beauty and wellness landscape in Nigeria.

Moody’s Ratings raised Ghana’s sovereign credit rating, citing improved prospects for debt reduction.

The West African nation’s long-term foreign currency debt was upgraded to Caa1 from Caa2, the ratings agency said on Friday. The outlook was changed to stable from positive.

‘Greater macroeconomic stability and favourable external dynamics are supporting more controlled funding costs and foreign exchange reserve replenishment,’ Moody’s said. The agency cited budgetary previous budget overruns, but noted that ‘nascent improvements to the fiscal framework will help anchor fiscal adjustment.’ Ghana’s new leadership under President John Mahama has pursued fiscal consolidation since coming to power in January to stabilize an economy recovering from a debt restructuring.

That’s helped to reduce public debt to 629 billion cedis ($51.6 billion) or 44.9% of gross domestic product at the end of July, from 764 billion cedis or 64.9% of GDP a year earlier.

Supported by a surge in bullion prices, Africa’s top gold producer also grew its gross international reserves by 43% to $10.7 billion at the end of August, bolstering its ability to meet external payments.

In a new escalation of the U.S.-China trade war, President Donald Trump announced Friday that his administration will impose a 100 per cent tariff on goods imported from China, in response to Beijing’s recently expanded export controls on critical rare-earth metals.

The announcement, delivered via a Truth Social post, stated the additional tariffs would take effect on November 1 or possibly sooner, ‘depending on any further actions or changes taken by China.’ This hike would come on top of the existing 30 per cent tariffs already in place.

Trump called China’s new export restrictions ‘extraordinarily aggressive’ and ‘extremely hostile,’ saying, ‘It is absolutely unheard of in international trade, and a moral disgrace in dealing with other nations.’ He also warned that the U.S. will impose export controls on all critical software, further tightening restrictions on technology flows.

China, via its Ministry of Commerce, defended its move, asserting the export controls were necessary to safeguard national security and strategic interests.

The decision marks a sharp turn in trade diplomacy, and it raises questions about the broader implications for global supply chains, technology markets, and the planned meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.