China "finances" the US - Why has Washington received 200 billion USD in loans from Chinese state-owned banks?
For years, Washington has warned other countries not to trust loans from Chinese state-owned banks, which have helped China rise to superpower status. But a new report reveals a surprising twist: The United States is the largest beneficiary of these loans, by a wide margin. And the implications for security and technology are still not fully understood.
According to AidData, a research lab in Virginia, China’s state-owned banks have funneled $200 billion into American businesses over the past 25 years. But much of that lending has been kept secret because the money was first funneled through shell companies in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and other countries, hiding its origins.
More worryingly, a large portion of these loans have helped Chinese companies buy stakes in American businesses, often in sectors critical to technology and national security, including robot manufacturers, semiconductor companies, and biotechnology firms.
The report reveals a much wider and more sophisticated lending network than previously thought, a system of financial obligations that extends to other wealthy states, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands and other US allies.
Experts point out that secret lending has given China control over key technologies. “Wars will be won if you can control products that are critical to the functioning of an economy,” they explain.
Deals financed by Chinese state-owned banks are particularly problematic. These banks are controlled by the central government, meaning they are directed to advance Beijing's strategic objectives.
In total, the report shows that China lent more than $2 trillion worldwide from 2000 to 2023, double the previous highest estimate. Much of the lending to rich countries has focused on critical minerals and high-tech assets, including rare earths and semiconductors needed for fighter jets, submarines and telecommunications networks.
New rules for declaring invoices - Fiscalization bill, strengthens traceability of transactions with foreign buyers
The Fiscalization Law will undergo changes aimed at increasing the control and traceability of transactions. Specifically, the amendments to the draft law......
"500% Tariffs on Countries Trading with Russia" - Trump Warns of New Measures to End the War in Ukraine
A bill proposed in the US Senate could impose a 500% tariff on countries that continue to trade with Moscow, including major buyers such as India and China.......
Fluctuations in the foreign exchange market - How much are the major currencies being exchanged today?
The US dollar has recorded slight fluctuations in its quote from the previous day, being bought this morning at 82.7 lek and being sold at 83.8 lek according......
Meteorological situation, mainly calm - Low to moderate intensity precipitation. No serious problems at the national level
In a public communication, the National Civil Protection Agency announces that the meteorological situation in the country appears mainly calm, with low to......
AI "boosts" energy storage systems - Global demand for these networks could increase by 40% in 2026
The growing demand for power from artificial intelligence data centers in the U.S. is expected to drive a strong expansion cycle for the energy storage......
Business crisis in Kosovo - Liberalization of the energy market has increased prices and reduced capacities
The process of liberalizing the energy market in Kosovo has hit manufacturing businesses hard, significantly increasing costs and limiting their......
Moti i keq, Balluku me prefektët e kryebashakiakët: Merrni masa në kohë për situatën!
Zëvëndës kryeministrja Balluku pati në orët e pasdites një takim me 12 prefektët e qarqeve dhe kryetarët e bashkive që konsiderohen zona me rrezikshmëri të......
Closing the group chapters, the next challenge for the country - How advanced are we in each of the fields?
Albania has passed another phase of the European Union accession process, marking the opening of negotiations for the last chapter group of the EU acquis on......
