Taiwan's defense ministry says it will step up counter-infiltration efforts after a reporter was detained for allegedly buying intelligence from military personnel with China-linked funds. Europe is backing Denmark as President Trump pushes to take control of Greenland, threatening tariffs in a dispute that has triggered a trans-Atlantic divide. And Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun has returned from Washington after negotiating a deal to cut Taiwan’s tariff rate to 15% in exchange for US$500 billion in US-based chip investment, a move critics warn could hollow out the industry despite government assurances. Plus:
- Taiwan’s GDP is forecast to grow over 4 percent in 2026, driven by AI and tech exports, with low inflation and a slightly stronger New Taiwan dollar.
- Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is set to dissolve parliament on Friday ahead of a February 8 snap election, seeking a mandate for her fiscal and defense agenda.
- China hit its 5% GDP target in 2025, but growth slowed to its weakest pace in a decade in the fourth quarter, as the economy grapples with US tariffs and a plunging birth rate.
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00
27:00