NEWS / the week of June 12 to 19, 2026

June 19, 2026

Current news about China and the Chinese people

NOTE: The news reports below are not in chronological order. There is often a time lag in their reaching the US and in gaining our attention. These reports reflect the opinions of a variety of news sources.

📌 Economic & Trade Developments

China’s spending slowdown deepens / June 18, 2026

Households are tightening budgets, signaling broader economic strain.

EU trade deficit with China hits €1 billion per day / June 16, 2026

New data highlights Europe’s growing economic imbalance.

China economy weakens further in May / June 15, 2026

Retail sales fall for the first time in over three years.

China builds an “economic fortress” amid rising global tensions / June 16, 2026

A look at Beijing’s long‑term economic strategy.

🛰️ Technology & Industry

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD of supporting the Chinese military / June 18, 2026

A major U.S. designation with geopolitical implications.

DeepSeek becomes China’s most valuable AI startup / June 16, 2026

after a $7.4B fundraising round.

China unveils “AI‑plus consumption” measures / June 18, 2026

New policies to boost domestic tech‑driven spending.

🌏 Diplomacy & Geopolitics

Taiwan’s President Says He Trusts Trump to Approve Arms Sales / June 19, 2026

President Lai Ching-te made the hopeful remarks after Mr. Trump suggested that he could use a proposed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan as leverage with Beijing.

China offers strong support to Myanmar’s president / June 17, 2026

during a state visit.

China controls key global trade choke points beyond rare earths / June 18, 2026

A detailed analysis of strategic leverage.

Why Trump’s talk of a “G2” hits a nerve with U.S. allies / June 15, 2026

Political implications of a potential U.S.–China power pairing.