China Auto Exports Surge: China’s auto export “engine” keeps accelerating, with first-half 2026 shipments jumping 54% to $918B and volume topping 5.09M units, as June alone surged 70% to $182B. EV Supply-Chain Shift in the US: A US push to purge Chinese connected-car hardware is already reshaping suppliers, with a new US electronics plant scaling up to meet compliance deadlines. New NEV Safety Rule: China’s national standard for new-energy vehicle maintenance operations takes effect Aug. 1, covering high-voltage and hydrogen systems with tighter workflows and emergency protocols. Battery Materials Funding: Sila raised $300M to expand silicon anode production in Washington, aiming to reduce reliance on China-linked battery inputs. AI Capital Race: Moonshot AI is in talks for a Hong Kong IPO, seeking up to a $50B valuation after strong Kimi K3 momentum. Energy Security Pressure: The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at its lowest since 1983 as Red Sea/Houthi disruptions and Iran-related fighting strain oil logistics. Regional Trade Signals: China-US goods trade rebounded in Q2, supporting a steadier global outlook amid tariff-cut framework talks. Property Drag Continues: China’s real estate slump entered its fourth year, with June prices still falling across major cities. Global Industry Watch: IHG signed 24 new Holiday Inns across Greater China, while a Philippine NBI raid shut a steel plant tied to alleged environmental and consumer law violations.