Last week, two Republican members of Congress released a discussion draft of a piece of legislation that focuses on trade in the Americas, but has several provisions dealing with China trade issues.

China's trade data for December shows that its exports had a larger dip compared to the month before, while the more moderate decline of imports may indicate that economic recovery is on its way. A break down of its trade with major trading partners is provided below.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would prohibit sales of oil from the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve to entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party. Prospects for the legislation in the Democrat-controlled Senate are uncertain, however.

This past week, CTM covered the following issues. In China: * Trade negotiations and talks with Ecuador, African countries, and the Philippines * New requirements for imports of durian imports from the Philippines * Discussions on compulsory licensing of COVID drugs in China * Academic review of developments related to government screening of Chinese

This week, China's new Foreign Minister Qin Gang is visiting Africa to "deepen the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership and boost friendly cooperation between China and Africa."

In the past week, more U.S. states have taken action to prohibit the use of TikTok and other Chinese-linked products and services on state electronic devices. And in Congress, there have been calls for hearings on TikTok.

After the failure by Pfizer and the Chinese government to reach an agreement on including COVID medicine Paxlovid in the state health insurance plan, there are some discussions in China on whether compulsory licensing is justified as cases are surging in the nation.