Several Chinese firms are pausing their tech trade amid export controls proposed by Beijing, Reuters reports. Chinese firm Jiangsu Jiwu Hi-Tech informed its clients earlier this month that it had stopped exporting its filtration equipment used in processing lithium for electric vehicle batteries — known as sorbent — and is currently negotiating with the government on the new restrictions alongside chemicals company Sunresin New Materials, sources told the newswire.

REMEMBER- China incorporated new laws in November that allow it to blacklist foreign firms, through an “unreliable entity list,” and impose its own sanctions. An expanded export control law allows Beijing to leverage its global dominance in supplying key resources, such as rare earths and lithium, which are essential for modern technologies, as a strategic tool.

US President Donald Trump is considering a new wave of tariffs that will see the country hit auto, semiconductors, and pharma imports with 25% duties, the Financial Times reports. While Trump did not announce a rolling out date for the tariffs, he said that more details would likely be out by 2 April, adding that he wants to provide time for companies to set up factories in the US to avoid tariffs.

25%...with the other 25%: Trump ordered a 25% tariff on all imports of steel and aluminum earlier this month, with the new measures set to take effect on 4 March. The tariffs will particularly impact key US metal suppliers in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, the EU, South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

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