China's tariff commission announced today that starting on May 1, 60 types of goods from Nicaragua will be tariff free. This is part of an early agreement reached between the two governments, as a precursor of a more comprehensive trade agreement for which the negotiations are ongoing.

Chinese electric car giant BYD is investing US$290 million to build a lithium cathode factory in Chile, after securing raw materials at a discount from local suppliers.

The latest episode of the Trade Talks podcast examines China's industrial policy, with a focus on the Made in China 2025 initiative.

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba visited China last week and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both sides agreed to bolster trade and investment, and strengthen cooperation in environment and infrastructure.

Last week, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on "The U.S. Tax Code Subsidizing Green Corporate Handouts and the Chinese Communist Party."

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's speech on the U.S. - China Economic Relationship last week raises a number of questions about its intentions and implications, and generated a wide range of reactions.

This past week, CTM covered the following issues. In China: * Trade and other deals with Brazil * Review of AD/CVDs on Australian barley, extension of AD duties on Japanese chemicals * Sanctions on U.S. firms selling arms to Taiwan * A report on China's International Commercial Court In the