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China is expanding scientific cooperation with Iran into rare earth exploration and processing, providing funding for joint workshops as Washington invests billions in domestic critical mineral production.
Audi has downgraded its full-year financial outlook, citing deteriorating market conditions in China and escalating tensions in West Asia. The Volkswagen subsidiary reported a 21% drop in second-quarter profits, with China operations generating significantly lower returns.
The United States has announced additional tariffs of 10 to 12.5 per cent on 60 trading partners, including major economies and Southeast Asian nations, for inadequate enforcement of forced labour prohibitions in their supply chains.
Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand outlined shared concerns about global instability during Post-Ministerial Conferences with ASEAN in Manila, pledging deeper cooperation on digital transformation, AI and economic resilience.
An economist has cautioned that Malaysia's proposed petroleum reserve should form part of a comprehensive economic security strategy rather than stand alone, encompassing food security, critical minerals and semiconductors.
Malaysia is examining the establishment of a national petroleum reserve as part of a broader policy shift to strengthen energy security amid intensifying geoeconomic fragmentation. Experts emphasize that such a reserve would serve as long-term risk management rather than a reactive measure.
Malaysia's government has instructed two ministries to examine proposals from the plastics industry, which faces pressure from global supply chain disruptions and raw material costs.
The Philippines is pressing ASEAN member states to enhance maritime security and supply chain resilience in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea, citing vulnerabilities exposed by disruptions in other global shipping corridors.