Day: July 17, 2025

Chip maker Nvidia is back selling American microchips to China after getting the go-ahead. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick explained how the move ties into broader U.S.–China trade and rare earth negotiations.Apple is sealing a $500 million deal to buy rare earth magnets from a Texas company. The measure is set to boost the supply of critical minerals for iPhones right here in the United States.The U.S. military is investing in rare earth mining, taking a 15 percent stake in miner MP Materials. The company plans to mine rare earth minerals for high-tech magnets in California. NTD spoke with a mining industry expert for further insight.President Donald Trump is vowing to leave China far behind in the AI race. He announced that companies are pumping billions of dollars into AI and energy to bring Pennsylvania back as an industrial powerhouse.Some say that whoever leads in AI leads the future. So, in the race between the United States and China, who is gaining the upper hand? Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shared his thoughts while in China.00:00 Intro01:58 Lutnick: U.S. Swaps Nvidia Chips for Chinese Rare Earths04:00 Beijing Tightens Grip on EV Battery Tech Exports04:20 Apple Invests $500M in U.S. Rare Earth Supply05:12 Lawmaker Presses Pentagon on Deep-Sea Mining Push05:45 The Pentagon Invests in Rare Earth Mining Company10:36 Trump Unveils Billions in AI Investment, ‘Fighting’ China12:24 Nvidia CEO: Chinese AI Models ‘Excellent Technologies’14:37 University of Michigan Faces Foreign Funding Probe15:29 Eight Chinese Nationals Charged in Scam Targeting the Elderly15:54 Hearing Unpacks Drone Warfare at Home and Abroad18:26 Waltz Served in the China Task Force While in Congress

Companies tied to Chinese businessman Wang Yongxin have bought land near two Australian ports shortlisted for AUKUS submarine bases. The sites at Port Kembla and Newcastle were flagged by Defence in 2023 for future nuclear submarine facilities. The Australian reveals Mr Yongxin is linked to China’s Communist Party, raising national security concerns. It’s unclear if the Foreign Investment Review Board reviewed the deals.The government has not commented on the purchases.

Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang discusses Xi Jinping’s role in the Chinese military, Beijing reportedly threatening to block the Panama ports deal and more during a wide-ranging interview on ‘Mornings with Maria.’

Tesla’s performance in the Chinese market is rapidly deteriorating, not just with the Model Y but across the board. According to the China Passenger Car Association, Tesla’s retail sales in June 2025 totaled 61,000 units, placing it fourth among the top ten electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers. In May, the situation was even worse. Sales dropped by 30.1% compared to the previous year, and Tesla’s ranking fell to eighth. The remaining top spots were claimed by local Chinese brands. Looking at the top three, BYD sold 352,000 units in June, Geely reached 115,000, and Changan sold 76,000. Each saw significant year-on-year growth, with BYD increasing by 25.7%, Geely by 80.7%, and Changan by 57.9%.

With the U.S. “reciprocal” tariff deadline approaching, can Taiwan negotiate a better tariff deal than Japan and South Korea? Our guests, Taipei City Councilor Vincent Chao and National Chengchi University Political Science Professor Yen Chen‑shen, share their thoughts.

Joining us today is Perry Link, Professor Emeritus of East Asian Studies at Princeton University and former Chancellorial Chair for Teaching Across Disciplines at the University of California at Riverside. Professor Link co-edited the Tiananmen Papers, and his latest book is called The Anaconda in the Chandelier: Writings on China.