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[India-US Tariff Negotiations: India Proposes "Zero-for-Zero" Tariff Arrangement]Informed sources revealed that during trade negotiations with the US, India proposed a "zero-for-zero" tariff arrangement for specific goods, including steel, auto parts, and pharmaceuticals. However, the proposal is based on the principle of reciprocity and is limited to a certain quantity of imported goods. Washington has expressed concerns about India's quality control orders, viewing them as non-tariff trade barriers to its exports. The US's so-called "reciprocal tariff" of 26% on India has been shelved, but the baseline tariff of 10% remains in effect. Reports indicate that imports of industrial products exceeding a certain quantity threshold will be subject to regular tariff rates. (Financial Link)
[EU: Plans to Impose Tariffs on US Goods Worth €95 Billion if Negotiations Fail]The European Commission has launched a public consultation on possible countermeasures in response to US tariffs. The European Commission stated that if negotiations fail, it plans to impose tariff measures on US goods worth €95 billion. The tariff proposal includes aircraft, automobiles, and bourbon whiskey, as well as meat, fish, and agricultural products. The EU is considering imposing export restrictions on the US for scrap metal and chemicals worth €4.4 billion. The EU will initiate a dispute settlement procedure against the US at the WTO regarding automobiles and reciprocal tariffs. The European Commission stated that it will continue to prioritize seeking mutually beneficial and balanced solutions with the US.
[Chinese Research Team Develops New Monitoring Technology to Safeguard the "Health" of Lithium-Ion Batteries]A team led by Professor Tingrui Pan and Researcher Yu Chang from the Suzhou Institute for Advanced Study of the University of Science and Technology of China, in collaboration with a team led by Professor Peng Tan from the University of Science and Technology of China and a team led by Professor Yongbing Tang and Researcher Fan Zhang from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed a long-lasting and stable in-situ expansion force monitoring technology for lithium-ion batteries. Relevant research results were recently published in National Science Review. Lithium-ion batteries have become the core of electric vehicles and energy storage systems due to their high energy density and long cycle life. However, issues such as lithium dendrite growth and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film growth threaten the safety and service life of batteries. In response to this challenge, the research team has developed a new in-situ monitoring technology based on integrated iontronic sensing technology. This technology utilizes the battery's own electrolyte and materials to construct a sensing interface, enabling high-precision pressure monitoring without additional encapsulation.This structure is not only highly compatible with battery materials but also addresses the stability challenges of traditional flexible pressure sensors in corrosive environments. Experiments have shown that the integrated iontronic sensing technology can operate stably within a battery for over one month, capturing the irreversible deposition of lithium dendrites through changes in the asymmetry and peak values of the pressure curve. Researchers have introduced that this technology opens up new avenues for the design of smart batteries, with its low cost, high precision, and long lifespan making it particularly suitable for vehicle battery management systems. (CCTV News)
[Geely and DP Technology Usher in an Era of "Targeted Drug-Level Precision Regulation" for Battery Safety, Becoming One of the First Automakers to Pass New National Standards for Battery Safety]Recently, DP Technology and Geely Auto announced the establishment of a joint "New Energy + AI" laboratory. Both parties have introduced the "AI + Molecular Simulation" technology system from the biomedical field into the R&D of power batteries for the first time, marking the official entry of global power battery technology into a new phase of "atomic-level precision R&D." It is also understood that Geely Auto obtained the GB 38031-2025 "Safety Requirements for Traction Batteries in Electric Vehicles" test report on May 8, becoming one of the first domestic enterprises to pass the new national standards for battery safety. The test report was issued by the authoritative third-party testing institution, CATARC Automotive Test Center. Relying on its unique Shendun Battery Safety System, Geely passed all new national standard safety verifications in one go, fully reflecting its consistent safety philosophy. (Cailian Press)
[Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao: Sales from Trade-in Programs for Consumer Goods Exceeded 1.3 Trillion Yuan in 2024, and Will Be Expanded and Intensified in 2025]The magazine Qizhi recently published an article titled "Vigorously Boosting Consumption, Expanding Domestic Demand in All Aspects, and Promoting Sustained Economic Rebound" by Wang Wentao, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Minister of the Ministry of Commerce. The article points out that upgrading commodity consumption is crucial for stabilizing the overall consumption market. With its large scale and strong driving force, stabilizing the basic consumption market requires first and foremost focusing on commodity consumption, which serves as the "linchpin." Currently, the main challenge facing commodity consumption is insufficient effective demand. We will explore multiple approaches from the demand side to tap into the potential for upgrading commodity consumption. We will intensify and expand the scope of trade-in programs for consumer goods. In 2024, sales from trade-in programs for consumer goods exceeded 1.3 trillion yuan, effectively boosting consumption recovery. In 2025, we will build on this momentum and further expand and intensify these efforts. In terms of intensification, the support funds from ultra-long-term special national bonds will be increased to 300 billion yuan, doubling the amount from the previous year. In terms of expansion, for the first time, subsidies will be introduced for the purchase of new digital products such as mobile phones, and the categories of home appliances eligible for trade-in subsidies will be expanded from "8+N" to "12+N." Additionally, the scope of vehicles eligible for scrappage and renewal under the program will be appropriately broadened. We will also improve the subsidy application process to enable consumers to enjoy policy incentives more quickly and conveniently.Launch pilot work on reforming automobile circulation and consumption. Support local governments in actively exploring and taking the lead in eliminating restrictive measures on automobile consumption and developing the automotive aftermarket, accelerating the release of consumption potential across all links in the entire chain of automobile purchase and use. Promote the consumption of high-quality foreign trade products. Organize the "China Tour for High-Quality Foreign Trade Products" campaign to expand online and offline channels and facilitate greater entry of high-quality foreign trade products into the domestic market. Advance the consumption of trendy domestic products. Continuously promote the innovative development of time-honored brands, host a series of featured events under the "Time-Honored Brand Carnival" initiative, and create growth points for the consumption of trendy domestic products. (Cailian Press)
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