Eswatini faces diplomatic pressure from China over its ties to Taiwan, while global tech and defense sectors shift as China blocks Meta deals and expands military exports to Pakistan.

Key Points

• China excluded Eswatini from a new tariff-free trade policy due to the African nation’s continued diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.
• Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te conducted an official visit to Eswatini, drawing sharp criticism from Chinese state media.
• The Chinese government blocked a $2 billion acquisition deal between Meta and a Chinese-origin AI company, citing industrial security concerns.
• Huawei is projected to capture the largest share of China’s AI chip market as domestic firms pivot away from US-made Nvidia products.
• Pakistan commissioned the first of eight Chinese-built Hangor-class diesel-electric attack submarines to bolster its naval capabilities.

Why it Matters

These developments highlight how geopolitical tensions are increasingly dictating the flow of global trade, technology acquisitions, and regional military balances. As China leverages its economic and industrial influence to isolate Taiwan and promote domestic tech alternatives, international companies and nations face growing pressure to align with Beijing’s strategic interests.