This past week, CTM covered the following issues.

South Africa became the latest African country to formalize a landmark Framework Agreement with China, securing zero-tariff treatment for all its exports as Beijing expands its trade network across the African continent.

China's Ministry of Commerce announced the final ruling of the countervailing duty investigation on EU dairy products, substantially lowering the duty rates.

China has expanded the list of industries it wants foreign companies to invest in, especially in advanced manufacturing, modern services and development in the country's interior. 

Ahead of the Chinese New Year, China is rolling out an aggressive package of holiday‑season measures to boost domestic spending, combining cash subsidies, tax lottery schemes and expanded public services to anchor growth in consumer demand during the country's upcoming holiday season.

China's Aiko Solar has reached a landmark settlement with Singapore‑based Maxeon Solar Technologies, ending a multiyear legal battle over patent infringement and invalidation.

Turning to the U.S., an appeals court heard arguments in drone-maker DJI's appeal against a lower court ruling that found a U.S. Department of Defense designation of DJI as a "Chinese Military Company" to be permissible under a U.S. statute.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in U.S. federal court to enforce a divestment order issued by President Trump pursuant to a CFIUS finding that a foreign investment by a Chinese company endangers national security.

As many other companies have been doing in recent months, Chinese automaker BYD filed a lawsuit in late January against the U.S. government, challenging President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, and requesting a refund of all tariffs paid since last April. This action is designed to ensure that if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the tariffs, BYD will be able to obtain refunds of the amounts paid.

In Europe, the European Commission announced that it had agreed to an undertaking with Chinese EV maker Volkswagen (Anhui) Automotive Company Ltd., involving promises on import pricing and volume, as well as a commitment to invest in more production in the EU.

The EU is moving forward with a complaint against China on royalty rates for standard essential patents, with a request for the establishment of a panel filed at the WTO.

And in Canada, as part of Canada's new automobile strategy, Canadian Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly offered some detailed remarks on how she sees Chinese investment in the Canadian auto sector as an important element of that strategy.

Amid positive momentum between Beijing and Ottawa on resolving a string of trade disputes, MOFCOM signaled an adjustment to its anti-discrimination measures targeting Canada and an extension of the anti-dumping investigation on canola seeds, with new announcements expected in the coming weeks.